Explaining Alabama’s Current Laws on Texting and Driving

Many Americans rely on their cellphones to keep them connected with the world around them. No longer are cellphones limited to making phone calls, but users can email, text, watch television, listen to music and read books on their cellular devices, among other things. Unfortunately, many people in Alabama become so absorbed in their cellular activities that they forget to put their phones away while driving.

The National Occupant Protection Use Survey found that at any given moment, an estimated 660,000 Americans use their handheld cellphones while driving during the day. Distracted driving car accidents have caused over 421,000 injuries in 2012 and approximately 3,328 deaths, according to distraction.gov. Many states across the nation, including Alabama, have enacted distracted driving laws in hopes of lowering these alarming statistics.

Alabama’s distracted driving laws

Alabama is one of 44 states which has a law prohibiting texting while driving, according to the Governors Highway Safety Association. This is a primary law, which means that police officers can pull over and ticket any motorist that is found engaging in the illegal act. The state also has a law banning novice drivers from using a handheld or hands free cellular device while driving.

Despite profound evidence linking handheld and hands free cellphone use with car accidents, Alabama has yet to pass a law restricting cellphone use for drivers.

Defining distracted behavior

People who drive while distracted are putting other motorists on the road in danger. According to distraction.gov, distractions are activities that take a motorist’s attention away from the task of driving. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention list the following types of distractions:

• Cognitive distractions are tasks that take the motorist’s mind off of driving.
• Visual distractions are tasks that take the motorist’s eyes off of the road.
• Manual distractions are tasks that take the motorist’s hands off of the steering wheel.

Texting is especially hazardous, as it requires the use of a driver’s hands, eyes and mind. Other behaviors, such as eating, drinking, reading, adjusting the radio, talking to passengers or picking up an item off of the floor can also be considered distractive, and have the potential for causing an auto accident as well.

In Alabama, texting while driving is illegal for all drivers, but this may not be enough to stop some people from making reckless decisions. If a driver causes an accident while violating the law, it may be straightforward for any accident victims to prove the driver was negligent and seek appropriate compensation. Anyone who has been hurt in an accident involving texting or other forms of driver distraction should meet with an attorney to discuss the available legal remedies.

When to contact an attorney

Getting into a car accident that is caused by another person’s negligence can be extremely devastating. Not only are accidents emotionally traumatizing for some, they have the potential for causing physical injuries as well. Serious injuries can lead to extensive medical bills that may be financially challenging to some. You shouldn’t have to suffer from someone else’s decision to break the law.

Contact an attorney if you have been involved in a car accident caused by a distracted driver. An attorney may be able to give you the legal counsel you need to win compensation for your case.

Keywords: Texting, distracted driving, accident, injury