Distracted driving is dangerous driving and it can lead to serious accidents. Cell phone use has long been one of the leading causes of distracted driving, but cell phone use can be even more dangerous when the driver is texting behind the wheel. According to recent studies, drivers are 23 times more likely to be involved in an accident when texting and driving.

With the dangers of texting and driving in mind, safety advocates and lawmakers are studying new legal and technological solutions to prevent car accidents caused by texting and driving.

Texting Laws

Outright texting-and-driving bans or limited new-driver versions are already in force in 30 states, with several more states currently on the verge of texting-while-driving law passage. Punishments for violators include nominal fines, ranging between $50 and $100, and instant penalty points added to driver's licenses.

New Technological Solutions for Texting and Driving

Public awareness and laws are helping to limit the problem, while tech companies are hurrying to get tools on the market that encourage self-discipline. Some cell phone companies are offering software systems that throw cell phone calls to voice mail and block incoming texts when a car is in motion.

Other devices would correlate phone use with car speed. Instead of blocking calls and texts, these devices convert text messages to audio, allowing drivers to send and hear messages by voice. Most of these devices also feature built-in parental controls to track teen drivers, the biggest at-risk group for texting while driving.

While many are optimistic about these solutions, there is no substitute for common sense on the roads. Texting while driving is very distracting and distracted driving is negligent driving. If you have been injured by a distracted driver, an experienced personal injury attorney can advise you of your legal rights.

Sources: Orlando Sentinel, "Devices, laws may curb texting behind the wheel," Sarah Lundy, 3/23/2011

New York Times, "In Study, Texting Lifts Crash Risk by Large Margin," Matt Richtel, 7/27/2009