Textalyzers: The Next Wave to Prevent Car Accidents & Injuries
While the spring, summer, and fall months bring an increase in road travelers throughout South Carolina, they also bring an increase in road construction projects. It is difficult to travel anywhere without encountering repaving, repairs, or some other type of road improvements, and while these projects promise to increase traffic flow and safety in the long run, they present delays and an increased risk of car accidents and injuries while they are occurring. Whether you travel the area for business or pleasure, the following is important information on construction zones in the Charleston area, as well as tips for how to avoid accidents when navigating through these zones.
What Is A Textalyzer?
According to an April 2016 report in the New York Times, a textalyzer is a device similar to a breathalyzer, but instead of detecting when and the amount a driver has been drinking, it detects whether a driver has been texting or using their cellphones while driving. The state of New York has proposed using textalyzers in the aftermath of a car accident, in order to determine if distracted driving was at fault. Drivers could then be held legally accountable, both in terms of receiving tickets and fines for violating state laws against cellphone
use, as well as having to pay for damages and injuries suffered by victims in the accident. Advocates for the device claim it could have the same impact on reducing distracted driving accidents as breathalyzers did in terms of helping to reduce the overall number of drunk driving accidents in the late 1980s. On the other hand opponents claim that textalyzers violate driver’s rights against illegal search and seizure. While the device is meant to detect only if a driver has been texting while driving and not the actual contents of those texts, it could open the door for privacy law violations.
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How Textalyzers Could Prevent Car Accidents and Injuries
According to the latest statistics from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) through its website, Distraction.gov, more than 3,100 deaths and over 430,000 injuries were caused by distracted driving accidents in 2014. Despite increased public awareness campaigns and tougher local and states laws against cellphone use behind the wheel, drivers continue to engage in reckless driving behaviors such as texting, sending emails, posting statuses on social media, and even taking photos and ‘selfies’ while driving. While textalyzers do not actually prevent drivers from engaging in these activities, the risk for being caught and the liability they would face could act as a strong deterrent.
Let Us Assist You Today
If you or someone you care about has been injured in a car accident, contact Anastopoulo Law Firm right away. Our experienced South Carolina car accident attorneys can advise you on how to hold responsible parties accountable, so that you can get the compensation you need to recover.
Call or text 803-222-2222 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
