Sunday, December 19, 2010

Where TheHood goes, so goes the ambulance chasers

As US DOT's TheHood is pushing for a ban on cell phone use while driving, New York personal injury law specialist Ellis Law is trolling for clients.  Here an excerpt from its news release:
With the same zeal with which he has sought to ban texting while driving, U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood is now pushing for a broader prohibition on the use of all electronic devices in motor vehicles. "I don't want people talking on phones, having them up to their ear or texting while they're driving," LaHood said in an interview with Bloomberg News. Since his campaign against texting behind the wheel began in 2009, 30 states have enacted such laws. In addition, federal law prohibits commercial motor carriers and federal employees from texting or e-mailing while driving...
According to CTIA, a trade organization representing wireless providers, U.S. cell phone carriers generated $152 billion in 2009 based on 2.3 trillion minutes of cellular usage. An outright ban would most definitely impact their bottom lines.

Despite initial opposition and the unlikelihood that a complete ban on electronic devices would be feasible, history has shown that DOT's financial clout can be persuasive. The federal government has previously awarded financial packages based on whether states adopted controversial safety measures such as seatbelt laws, speed limits and .08 BAC levels.

Until such a time when a ban is passed, however, people will likely continue to use handheld mobile phones, PDAs and other similar gadgets behind the wheel, leading to distracted driving and motor vehicle accidents. If you or a loved one has been injured by the actions of a distracted driver, consult an experienced personal injury attorney in your area to learn more about possible legal options.

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