We are always on our phone, whether it is to catch up with a friend, read work emails, or scroll through social media, it is glued to our hands.
There were just over 1,200 collisions on Indiana roads every year since 2015, where a cellphone or other electronic device was a factor, according to the Indiana Criminal Justice Institute. As a result, there were a total of 40 fatalities.
Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb wants to see those numbers decrease. That is why he has signed HB 1070 into law, which modifies the existing 2011 Indiana law addressing texting and broadens it to include all use.
Since 2011, it has been unlawful to type, transmit, or read email or text messages on a communication device unless using a hands-free or voice-operated technology. The current law mainly focuses on texting while driving, while the new law applies to all types of use on a device. The new law now specifies that a person may not hold or use a telecommunications device while operating a moving motor vehicle, except under certain circumstances (e.g., calling 911).
Distracted driving is when a driver engages in any activity that does not involve driving while the vehicle is moving. It has always been an issue, and as technology continues to advance, it will continue to be an issue, unless more states take action. Less than half of the U.S. have laws prohibiting cell phone usage while driving, and a majority of those laws are broad or outdated. As HB 1070 takes effect, July 1, 2020, hopefully, there will be more states that will realize how serious the issue of distracted driving is.
Your phone isn’t worth dying over.
Click here to find out what you can do to prevent distracted driving!
Material posted on this website is for informational purposes only and does not constitute a legal opinion or medical advice. Contact your legal representative or medical professional for information specific to your legal or medical needs.
