Sen. Codey explains that under the current driving laws, intoxicated drivers at a red light can be charged with driving under the influence and the same standards should apply to drivers on their cellphone.
The Senator is also hoping that the passing of such legislation will put the state in line with federal standards for the Distracted Driving Grant Program. The grant program will provide federal money to states working to combat distracted driving. The Federal Department of Transportation announced in 2012 that a total of $17.5 million would be available to states with distracted driving laws.
In July 2014 penalties for driving while talking or texting will increase from $100 to between $200 and $400 in an effort to cellphone use. Repeat offenders could pay up to $600 and have their licenses suspended for up to three months.
Sen. Codey is hoping that the bill will pass both houses by January or at least before the new, harsher penalties for cellphone use go into effect.
Despite new laws, cellphone-related accidents in New Jersey have continually increased. Since 2005 the number of cellphone-related collisions has increased by more than 800 percent and in 2012 at least 8 fatal crashes were caused by drivers using their cellphones.
As handheld use of cellphones and texting while driving is prohibited in New Jersey, anyone who has been injured by a distracted driver should seek out legal counsel to determine what their legal rights are. Auto accident law firm Levinson Axelrod offers free consultations to victims injured by a distracted driver.
About Levinson Axelrod
As a well-respected personal injury law firm in New Jersey, the attorneys at Levinson Axelrod are committed to helping those who have been injured due to the actions of another. With decades of combined legal experience our attorneys are well-versed in car accident claims, architectural malpractice, faulty pharmaceutical product claims, wrongful death, and many more aspects of personal injury law. For a free and confidential case evaluation, visit njlawyers.com or call 1-800-34-NJ-Law.
Levinson Axelrod, P.A.
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Source: EmailWire.Com
