Every 8 seconds someone is hurt in a car crash and thousands of people die every year from distracted driving. It only takes one distraction while driving that can change everything in your life. California has extremely strict laws with the highest fines for distracted driving. In 2017, California Vehicle Code 23123 was amended by AB-1785, which prohibits using electronic handheld devices including cell phones and smartphones while driving. Distracted Driving laws alone won’t change things. Educating drivers on just how dangerous it is to ignore these traffic laws may be a start. Here are 4 myths we want to debunk at Ticket Snipers.
Myth 1: Drivers Can MultiTask
The human brain cannot effectively do two things simultaneously. Your reaction time to either task is much slower than having single focus. The same is true with driving while talking on the phone – which are both thinking tasks.Your attention to both tasks is not at 100%. If you have to slam on the brakes, there is a good chance the reduced reaction time will lead to a serious car accident.
Myth 2: Talking on Your Cell Phone is Same as Speaking to a Passenger
Passengers have two responsibilities: not to distract the driver and help navigate or point out road hazards. In essence, the passenger is your extra set of eyes. But when chatting with someone on the phone, that person on the other end has no idea of your driving situation. They don’t offer any assistance to your safety. They are a distraction.
Myth 3: Using My Phone at a Stoplight is Okay
Even at stoplights it is important to remain an attentive driver. Although you are stationary doesn’t mean that you are safe from other moving vehicles on the road. Accidents can happen at any time, and if you paying 100% attention to the road, you may be able to pull away from an oncoming collision.Secondly, when the light turns green other drivers are ready to go. If you delay, it can cause confusion and road rage, which often leads to accidents. Be respectful of the other drivers around you.
Myth 4: Voice-to-Text is Safe to Do While Driving
Here are two common “rages” we experience: road rage and phone rage. As wonderful of an invention is Siri, it can sometimes mistake your voice command, like such:You: Hey Siri. Text Justin ‘I’ll be a little late to dinner tonight’Siri: OK. I will text Dustin ‘I’ll belly lay to dinner tonight’You: No! No! That is not what I said! Who is Dustin?!Siri: OK. What would you like to say Dustin?Avoid the voice to text as much as possible. If the message is very important, pull over to send the text or make the phone call. Your life matters more than sending a message.In conclusion, remember it only take one distraction to cause a serious accident. So stay safe and alert at all times while driving – for the safety of you, your passengers, and others on the road. California Hopes to Find Out.
California Traffic Tickets Hit You Hard
We’ve all been there. You’re driving down the highway and your cell phone rings. A quick glance at the screen tells you it’s a call from a spouse or a child; or maybe it’s an important business call you’ve been waiting on. Without even thinking about it, you pick up your cell phone.“Laws in all states are not the same, but in California you can get a ticket for this. It’s called distracted driving.”Distracted driving is performing any activity that takes your eyes away from the road, including talking on a cell phone, texting, or sending emails. The distraction can be manual, cognitive, or visual. It can be putting on make-up, glancing at a document, opening the glove department, any activity that takes a driver’s eyes off the road, or interrupts mental concentration while driving, can be construed as distracted driving. It can be eating, trolling for music, or adjusting a GPS device.Depending on the degree of negligence, penalties for distracted driving in California, can range from suspension or revocation of driver’s license, restrictions placed on driver’s license, to fines, probation or incarceration. The exact circumstances of the ticket plays an important role in determining the fines and penalties levied against you.
Legal Help is Just Around the Corner
If you have received a traffic Ticket in California for a distracted driving violation, contact Ticket Snipers at https://www.ticketsnipers.com/ or call 1-800.985.8978 toll-free. We can help you beat a traffic ticket in California.Ticket Snipers has helped more than 10,000 drivers successfully fight their traffic violations. We are a fully-licensed, bonded and accredited legal group helping drivers throughout the state of California.At Ticket Snipers, our legal professionals focus strictly on California traffic tickets. We have a lot of experience because all we do is contest California traffic tickets.Our legal professionals know what defenses work to beat traffic tickets in court. We have years of legal training and know what to look for in every kind of traffic ticket to increase the probability of a dismissal.If you use Ticket Snipers to fight a traffic ticket, you may not even need to appear in court. We will prepare all the legal documents and you can just read, sign, and mail the completed defense documents to the traffic court with the necessary fees.
Other Factors to Consider
Remember, In addition to tickets for traffic violations, distracted driving can cause accidents, injuries, and death.A physical distraction causes you to take your hands off the wheel or eyes off the road. A mental distraction takes your mind away from the road.If you get a ticket for distracted driving in California, contact Ticket Snipers at https://www.ticketsnipers.com/ or call 1-800.985.8978 toll-free. We can help you beat a traffic ticket in California.To sign up for our service click on the Get Started and enter your information along with a PDF scanned copy of your violation. One of our knowledgeable case development team members will contact you shortly to discuss your individual case and begin the process of getting your ticket dismissed. Sources:DMV Reminds Motorists of New 2017 Laws; December 19th 2016https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/dmv/detail/pubs/newsrel/newsrel16/2016_36Can a Law Stop Distracted Driving?; Jan 5th, 2017 – The New York Times