Recently, law enforcement officers in Maine started enforcing a relatively new law – no texting behind the wheel, according to The Maine Public Broadcasting Network. This law was recently enacted as a primary offense, meaning that officers can pull over a driver for texting without witnessing any other traffic infraction first. The law allows officers to hand over a $100 fine for anyone who is writing or reading at the wheel, including texting, using Facebook, sending or reading e-mails and fiddling with music libraries. All of these behaviors greatly increase a driver’s risk for a car accident in Portland.”Really what we’re trying to do here,” said state police Col. Robert Williams, “is get voluntary compliance because in 2010 about 39 percent of the traffic crashes’ … contributed to some type of inattention or distraction.”
Our Portland car accident lawyers understand that texting by teenage drivers in particular has become a problem throughout the U. . To help fight the problem, the U. . Department of Transportation (USDOT) launched a new public service announcement campaign called “OMG” to raise awareness about the dangers of texting behind the wheel. The campaign consists of two PSAs that will be shown at more than 525 Regal Cinema theaters, roughly 12,000 gas station pump-top screens nationwide and on the Distraction.gov website throughout December. The USDOT feels that these mediums will help reach a significant number of teenage drivers throughout the country.
As the holiday season draws near and Portland schools let out for winter break, teenage drivers will be setting out on our roadways to visit with friends and family members to enjoy some time away from class. To help spread the message about the potential consequences of texting while driving to teenagers, the USDOT has included popular texting lingo, like “LOL” and “L8R,” in its “OMG” campaign.
Greg Dunn, the President and COO of Regal Entertainment Group, says that he and Regal Entertainment Group is pleased to join forces with the USDOT for this campaign. He says that the partnership can help to make a difference on roadways nationwide, especially during the busy travel season.
As of right now, there are 35 states have made it illegal for all drivers to text behind the wheel. Nine states, the Virgin Islands and the District of Columbia have made it illegal for drivers to talk on the phone.
Parents should talk with teenage drivers about the risks, dangers and consequences of distracted driving. You’re talk can help your teen make smart and responsible decisions behind the wheel and to avoid a potentially fatal accident.
Contact the experienced injury attorneys at Peter Thompson & Associates if you or your teen driver has been involved in a distraction-related car accident in Bangor, Portland or in any of the surrounding areas. Call 1-800-804-2004 to make a appointment to speak to an attorney about your case.
More Blog Entries:
Drowsy Driving Prevention Week Focuses on Car Accidents in Bangor and Elsewhere, Maine Injury Lawyer Blog, November 12, 2011
Maine’s First Taste of Winter Weather Boosts Car Accidents in Bangor, Maine Injury Lawyer Blog, November 2, 2011