How to Avoid Bicycle Accidents this summer

How to Avoid Bicycle Accidents this summer

Cycling is a fantastic way to get from point A to point B, just ask the hoards of individuals who swear by their two-wheeled morning commute. However, cyclists are at risk for injury each time they hit the streets.

Fortunately, if you are a cyclist, there are a variety of ways in which you can practice accident prevention and stay safe. Here are some of the leading causes of bike accidents and how to avoid them:

“The Right Cross

This is the most common way to get hit. A car is pulling out of a side street, parking lot, or driveway on the right.  Notice that there are actually two possible kinds of collisions here:  Either you’re in front of the car and the car hits you, or the car pulls out in front of you and you slam into it.

How to avoid this collision:

  1. Get a headlight. If you’re riding at night, you absolutely should be using a front headlight.  It’s required by law, anyway.  Even for daytime riding, a bright white light that has a flashing mode can make you more visible to motorists who might otherwise Right Cross you.  Look for the new LED headlights, which last ten times as long on a set of batteries as old-style lights.  And headlamps (mounted on your head or helmet) are the best, because then you can look directly at the driver to makesure they see your light.
  2. Wave. If you can’t make eye contact with the driver, wave your arm.  It’s easier for them to see your arm going left and right than it is for them to see a bicycle coming straight towards them.  You could also use a loud horn to get drivers’ attention.
  3. Slow down. If you can’t make eye contact with the driver (especially at night), slow down so much that you’re able to completely stop if you have to.  Sure, it’s inconvenient, but it beats getting hit.
  4. Ride further left.  When that driver is looking down the road for traffic, he’s not looking in the bike lane or the area closest to the curb; he’s looking in themiddleof the lane, for other cars.  The farther left you are, the more likely the driver will see you.  There’s an added bonus here: if the motorist doesn’t see you and starts pulling out, you may be able to go even farther left, or may be able to speed up and get out of the way before impact, or easily roll onto their hood as they slam on their brakes.

The Door Prize

A driver opens his door right in front of you.  You run right into it if you can’t stop in time.  This kind of crash is more common than you might think: It’s the second-most common car-bike crash in Toronto.

How to avoid this collision:

Ride to the left. Ride far enough to the left that you won’t run into any door that’s opened unexpectedly. You may be wary about riding so far into the lane that cars can’t pass you easily, but you’re more likely to get doored by a parked car if you ride too close to it than you are to get hit from behind by a car which can see you clearly.

The Right Hook

A car passes you and then tries to make a right turn directly in front of you, or right into you. They think you’re not going very fast just because you’re on a bicycle, so it never occurs to them that they can’t pass you in time. Even if you have to slam on your brakes to avoid hitting them, they often won’t feel they’ve done anything wrong. This kind of collision is very hard to avoid because you typically don’t see it until the last second, and because there’s nowhere for you to go when it happens.

How to avoid this collision:

  1. Don’t ride on the sidewalk.When you come off the sidewalk to cross the street you’re invisible to motorists. You’re just begging to be hit if you do this.
  2. Ride to the left.Taking up the whole lane makes it harder for drivers to pass you to cut you off or turn into you. Don’t feel bad about taking the lane: if motorists didn’t threaten your life by turning in front of or into you or passing you too closely, then you wouldn’t have to. If the lane you’re in isn’t wide enough for cars to pass you safely, then you should be taking the whole laneanyway.
  3. Glance in your mirror before approaching an intersection.(If you don’t have a handlebar or helmet mirror, get one now.) Be sure to look in your mirrorwell before you get to the intersection. When you’re actually going through an intersection, you’ll need to be paying very close attention to what’s in front of you.

The Rear End

You innocently move a little to the left to go around a parked car or some other obstruction in the road, and you get nailed by a car coming up from behind.

How to avoid this collision:

  1. Never, ever move left without looking behind you first.Some motorists like to pass cyclists within mere inches, so moving even a tiny bit to the left unexpectedly could put you in the path of a car. Practice holding a straight line while looking over your shoulder until you can do it perfectly. Most new cyclists tend to move left when they look behind them, which of course can be disastrous.
  2. Don’t swerve in and out of the parking lane if it contains any parked cars.You might be tempted to ride in the parking lane where there are no parked cars, dipping back into the traffic lane when you encounter a parked car. This puts you at risk for getting nailed from behind. Instead, ride a steady, straight line in the traffic lane.
  3. Use a mirror.If you don’t have one, get one from a bike shop. There are models that fit on your handlebars, helmet, or glasses, as you prefer. You should always physically look back over your shoulder before moving left, but having a mirror still helps you monitor traffic without constantly having to look behind you.
  4. Signal.Never move left without signaling. Just put your left arm straight out. Be sure to check your mirror or loo behind you before signaling (since a car passing too closely can take your arm out).”

By implementing these strategies into your cycling, you will dramatically decrease your risk of being involved in a collision.

If you have been injured, and need legal assistance, call #1000 on your cell phone for free. We will offer you a free claim assessment.

May 12, 2017 ,
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Arriving Safely in Taxis and Ubers 101

Arriving Safely in Taxis and Ubers 101

For anyone who doesn’t own a vehicle, especially those living in a bustling metropolis, taxis and ridesharing apps are majorly convenient services. These services take the pressure off of individuals and allow them to sit back and enjoy the ride.

However, as with any activity that involves walking near a busy street, there are also precautions one must take when using taxi or ridesharing app services. Check out our two tips below to ensure you have a safe trip.

Hailing a Cab 101

Ok, so Uber users need not be concerned with this tidbit of valuable information. The following are dos and don’ts for protecting yourself from injury when hailing a taxi.

  • Don’t ever go out onto a busy street to get a drivers attention, cab drivers are always looking for new customers, and they will notice you safely waiting on the sidewalk.
  • Don’t get into a vehicle that is not a city-regulated taxicab, regardless of what the driver may be telling you about his services.
  • Do wait on the sidewalk until the driver who is stopping for you can meet you at your spot. It is common for individuals hailing a cab headed in the opposite direction to attempt to run across the street to get into the vehicle, this is extremely dangerous however, and should be avoided at all costs.

Exiting a Cab or Uber 101

In taxis, as opposed to personal vehicles, it’s more common to be dropped off on the side of the road than in parking lots. If your taxi driver is dropping you off outside of a building on the side of the road, it’s imperative that you exit the vehicle on the side facing away from traffic. If you cannot exit the vehicle on this side, ensure that you do a shoulder check for any oncoming cars or cyclists that could be hit if you open your door. Do not exit the vehicle until it is safe to do so and there is no oncoming traffic.

Once you’re in a cab or an Uber, getting from point A to point B is a piece of cake.

If you have been injured, and need legal assistance, call #1000 on your cell phone for free. We will offer you a free claim assessment.

October 10, 2016
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Why Wearing a Helmet is Non-Negotiable

Why Wearing a Helmet is Non-Negotiable

Although cycling is a year round activity for some, every summer, many bicycles are dusted off and taken out of their winter hibernation to hit the open road. Cycling is a cost-efficient, environmentally sustainable, and physically challenging method of transportation.

However, biking does not come without its risks of injury. While a sprained wrist is one thing, bicycling-related brain injuries exist in an entirely different ballpark. In fact, up to 40 percent of all cycling injuries are brain injuries. Furthermore, this type of injury accounts for 45 to 100 percent of all youth related cycling deaths. Due to these startling statistics, it is vital that all cyclists take preventative measures to avoid suffering from a traumatic brain injury.

Despite being aware of the debilitating effects that brain injuries can have upon the lives of sufferers, many individuals still choose to forgo wearing a helmet. As personal injury lawyers, we at Dye and Russell have seen firsthand the aftermath of cycling related brain injuries. Here’s what you need to know if you’re committed to brain injury prevention:

A Concussion is a Brain Injury

 The fact that a concussion is a brain injury is not widely understood. In fact, public knowledge surrounding the frequency and severity of concussive injuries is dramatically low.

When the brain experiences a concussive blow, its protective cerebral spinal fluid cannot absorb the shock. Thus, the gelatin-like brain moves around inside the skull, injuring the organ in the process. Additionally, repeat concussions can cause irreversible damage to an individuals’ cognitive function.

Since many concussions go undiagnosed, here are the symptoms that individuals often fail to recognize are due to a brain injury, according to the Mayo Clinic:

  • Headache or a feeling of pressure in the head
  • Temporary loss of consciousness
  • Confusion or feeling as if in a fog
  • Amnesia surrounding the accident
  • Dizziness or “seeing stars”
  • Ringing in the ears
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Slurred speech
  • Delayed response to questions
  • Appearing dazed
  • Fatigue

Some symptoms however, can fail to show themselves for hours or days after the concussive blow, such as:

  • Concentration and memory problems
  • Irritability and other personality changes
  • Sensitivity to light and noise
  • Sleep disturbances
  • Psychological adjustment problems and depression
  • Disorders of taste and smell

Wearing a Helmet is Non-Negotiable

It has been proven that in provinces that enforce legislation regarding helmet use for children, brain injury rates plummet.

So consider it logically: If your head hits the pavement unprotected, the severity of your concussion will be heightened due to the lack of shock absorption that a helmet would’ve provided.

How to pick out a Proper Helmet:

If you’re planning on simply biking recreationally, ask your local bike store staff to outfit you with a multi-use helmet. These lightweight helmets often come with a visor to protect your eyes from the sun, and are ideal for those who aren’t planning on taking their bicycle out into the mountains. Additionally, it’s imperative that you ensure your helmet is fitted to your head before you leave the store. Finally, if your helmet is dropped on the floor, or later becomes involved in a collision, it must be replaced immediately even if it appears to be totally intact.

Wearing a helmet is the number one thing anybody can do to take control of their personal health and safety.

If you have been injured, and need legal assistance, call #1000 on your cell phone for free. We will offer you a free claim assessment.

August 1, 2016
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Sharing the Road with Cyclists: What you need to Know

Sharing the Road with Cyclists: What you need to Know

Despite common rhetoric, cyclists and drivers can get along just fine. Regardless of the fact that the road is a narrow place, drivers must be mindful that they are sharing it with their two-wheeled counterparts. When in a car, it can be easy to forget to keep your eyes peeled for bicycles. However, drivers of motorized vehicles must understand the vulnerable state that all cyclists ride in.

According to the Canadian Automobile Association (CAA), each year, hundreds of cyclists die in motor vehicle accidents. Additionally, 7,500 cyclists are seriously injured while commuting. As a driver, it is your responsibility to keep the road safe for yourself, and every person around you, as bicycles and cars are both entitled to space on the road.

The good news is, you can expand your knowledge on how to safely share the road with cyclists with these helpful tips:

Know Their Rules

In order to know how to co-exist peacefully with cyclists on the road, you need to be aware of their rules of the road. Many vehicle drivers believe that cyclists are required by law to ride within a metre of the curb, however, this information is false. While cyclists do tend to stick near the curb in order to minimize their risk of accident, they are not required to when they are keeping the speed of surrounding traffic. Furthermore, just like cars, cyclists also need to change lanes. If a cyclist needs to make a left turn, he or she is permitted to do so from a left-turn lane.

In order for you to minimize your risk of colliding with a bicycle, you must be aware of the freedom they have to ride wherever they so choose. While most bikers will stay on your right, be cautious and always check your mirrors and blind spots to ensure you are aware if one is ever coming up behind you from another side.

Know Your Rules

In order to avoid a fine or collision, it’s imperative that you’re aware of the unique rules that drivers must follow pertaining to cyclists. When passing a bicycle on the road, you are required to maintain a minimum distance of one metre between where your car is driving and where their bike is riding. While many drivers, notably city ones, ignore this rule, you should not follow suit. Failure to comply with this law can result in a fine within the range of $60 to $500, plus two demerits on your record, and a dramatically increased risk of accident.

While car drivers have signals to communicate with one another what their next move will be, cyclists do not. You may notice some relying on arm movements to indicate the intent to turn, however, no bicycles have break lights to warn vehicles when they are slowing down or stopping. It remains crucial to everyone’s safety that you avoid following too closely behind any bikers due to this.

Intersection Caution

Intersections are a hotbed for miscommunication and accidents. In fact, cyclists are more likely to be killed or injured when moving through an intersection. You can do your part to keep cyclists safe at intersections a variety of different ways. On a right turn, signalling and checking your mirrors and blind spot can decrease your chances of cutting a cyclist off. On a left turn, be sure to wait for any oncoming cyclists to get by you before making your move. Finally, when driving through an intersection, don’t forget to keep your eyes peeled not only for cars, but also cyclists who are turning left.

Everyone has somewhere to be, but unfortunately, motor vehicle accidents happen every day due to individuals rushing to arrive at their final destination. While cyclists have an enormous role to play in ensuring they ride safely, drivers must understand the susceptibility they experience to accidents.

If you have been injured, and need legal assistance, call #1000 on your cell phone for free. We will offer you a free claim assessment.

July 18, 2016
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5 Road Trip Safety Tips for the Open Road this Summer

5 Road Trip Safety Tips for the Open Road this Summer

During the summer months, many families choose to pack up their vehicles and hit the pavement for adventure filled road trips. Although car trips can induce a sense of freedom and possibility, they can also pose a serious risk when drivers fail to navigate the roads safely.

So before you embark upon your summer road trip, ensure that you’re aware of these safety precautions that must be taken to ensure a safe arrival at your destination:

Plan Ahead

First and foremost, it’s crucial to map out your route before you sit down in your vehicle. In doing so, you will learn ahead of time if you will be encountering any obstacles such as construction zones. In addition, planning ahead gives drivers the confidence of knowing how long the drive will take, so they can plan accordingly and avoid rushing through traffic to make it to their destination on time.

Double Check Items in Tow 

It’s imperative that if you are towing a trailer, a boat, or any other item behind your vehicle, you ensure that it is secured properly. If it’s a trailer, double check that the lights on it are working, so that the traffic following behind you can see if you are about to pull over or turn. Furthermore, confirm that the trailer tires are in good shape, to avoid any potentially dangerous accidents on the highway.

Avoid Distracted Driving

The digital age has created the pressing issue of smartphone addiction. If you’re operating a vehicle, you should comply to a strict “no cell phone” rule, to avoid any temptation to check your phone. Distracted driving is a highly dangerous plague to the safety of drivers everywhere.

Luckily, Ontario law now deems it illegal for drivers to use their phones for communication purposes while on the road. Still, not everyone adheres to these laws, and those who use their cell phone behind the wheel are four times more likely to crash than those who focus on driving. Not only do you amplify the risk of causing your passengers harm by checking your phone, you further put the safety of surrounding vehicles in jeopardy.

However, if you’re on the road and desperately need to make a call, you are permitted to do so using Bluetooth technology and the hands-free function on your phone.

Practice Defensive Driving

Defensive driving entails driving with the sole intent of avoiding collision. This may mean remaining even-tempered when faced with aggressive drivers, maintaining a comfortable speed, and also a safe distance between yourself and other vehicles. By having patience and practicing defensive driving, you limit the risk of injuring yourself, your passengers, and the people in surrounding vehicles.

Stay Focused 

If your trips point a is a considerable distance from its point b, you’re going to need to ensure that you get the rest you require in order to avoid a fatigue related collision. You should not allow the excitement and anticipation of reaching your destination impair your judgment of when it’s time to take a break from driving. Furthermore, be sure to take frequent stops at gas stations, even if you don’t need to purchase anything, so that you can stretch and increase your alertness and blood circulation.

By taking these safety precautions on your road trip, you’ll dramatically lower your risk of getting into an accident on your journey.

Fast dial #1000 free from your cell and we’ll get you the support you need.

June 14, 2016 ,
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What Happens When Your Car Gets Hit by Lightning?

What Happens When Your Car Gets Hit by Lightning?

There has been a long-standing fallacy that vehicles can provide full protection when lightning strikes. That’s not entirely the case. The National Lightning Safety Institute reports that some vehicles struck by lightning experience external damage, including pitting and arcing, as well as internal damage to electronic systems and components.

In layman’s terms, what happens to most cars is that the lighting will flow around the outside of a car, with the majority of the current flowing from the car’s metal cage into the ground below.

What to do when driving in a lighting storm?

The National Lightning Safety Institute strongly suggests safely pulling off to the side of the road, waiting out the storm, turning off the engine, putting one’s hands in one’s lap and not touching inside items such as door and window handles, steering wheels and gear shifts.

What is safe – and what isn’t

  • Heavy equipment such as bulldozers and backhoes with rollover canopies are safe during thunderstorms,
  • Riding mowers and golf carts are not safe to be in.

Roll up the windows and don’t touch any part of the metal frame – this means resting your arm on the window or any wired device that might be in the vehicle. For example, the steering wheel or a cell phone that is plugged into the car.

Should a direct strike hit your car, the electric current will flow through the entire frame of the vehicle and typically jump over or through the tires to reach the ground. Most recorded lightning strikes to vehicles typically result in one or more flat tires occurring and damage to the entire electrical system – but no injury to the occupants as long as they stayed away from any metal framework.

Safety Reminder:

  • You also should not to touch the radio,
  • Do not talk on the cell phone,
  • If you are driving, pull to the side of the road, turn on your hazard lights, turn off the engine and wait out the storm.

At Dye & Russell we understand the laws that affect your rights to compensation. Our legal experience within the insurance industry provides the insights required to expedite and secure top results as quickly as possible.

If you have been injured, and need legal assistance, call #1000 on your cell phone for free. We will offer you a free claim assessment.

May 7, 2016
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Safety Tips to be a Focused and Diligent Driver

Safety Tips to be a Focused and Diligent Driver

According to the Canadian Automobile Association (CAA), distracted driving is a factor in over 4 million motor vehicle collisions every year in North America. Distracted driving is considered to be at equal level with impaired driving because a driver’s judgment is jeopardized when they take their focus away from the road. 80 per cent of collisions and 65 per cent of near crashes have some form of driver inattention as contributing factors. A study has shown that in 80 per cent of collisions, the driver had looked away from the road 3 seconds prior to the crash.

In Ontario, it is illegal to:

  • Operate hand-held communication and electronic entertainment devices while driving. This includes typing, talking, texting, scrolling or dialing on a phone, and manually programming a GPS device.
  • View display screens unrelated to driving.

If convicted of distracted driving in Ontario, the driver will face a minimum fine of $490, up to $1000. Additionally, three demerit points will be applied to the driver’s record. The consequences can be much worse if the driver is found to endanger others with their distracted driving—this may include a six month jail term, or up to five years with a dangerous driving charge.

Despite being Ontario’s biggest road killer, distracted driving is easy to avoid. Here are a few things drivers can do to stay focused on the roads:

Keep cellular devices in the backseat

The most common form of distracted driving is using a cellphone while driving—this includes talking, texting, emailing, adjusting playlists, scrolling, etc. Reduce the temptation to pick it up by putting it somewhere out of arm’s reach. Even if the driver knows it’s wrong to be on their phone while driving, it’s easy to pick up when traffic is heavy and the driver is bored. In any situation, it is dangerous and illegal to be on the phone when driving.

“Drivers talking on cellphones are in many cases just as impaired as drunk drivers” – Insurance Bureau of Canada

Go hands-free

Any device that doesn’t need to be touched to operate other than to turn it on and off is considered “hands-free.” If the driver turns their GPS on before they begin driving it is okay, but it is technically illegal to manually program the GPS while driving.

Another great option is getting a Bluetooth device that securely attaches to the ear or the car. If for whatever reason, a driver feels that they need to answer calls while driving, this is a safe and legal option—given that the device is only being touched when activating and deactivating it.

Map out the route beforehand

Before getting in the car, the driver should have a good idea of where they are going. A driver’s eyes should always be on the road—not looking for street signs. Furthermore, planning the route ahead of time ensures that the driver isn’t constantly looking down at a map or the GPS on their phone.  If the driver has a GPS secured to the dashboard, it should be turned on before driving begins, with the instructions read aloud so the driver won’t have to continuously look at the screen.

Don’t let passengers be a distraction

There’s a reason graduated licensing in many provinces puts restrictions on the number of passengers a young driver is allowed to carry at one time—passengers can be a major distraction. Talking to or listening to a passenger while driving is similar to talking on a cellphone. It is important for a driver to warn passengers to be quiet when entering a risky situation on the road.

“Children are four times more distracting than adults as passengers, and infants are eight times more distracting than adults as passengers.”

Children are particularly distracting to drivers. One way to keep children quiet during a car ride is to supply a book, movie or some other entertainment for them.

Be mindful of music choices

If a driver wants to listen to music from their phone instead of the radio, they should create a playlist beforehand so that they aren’t on their phones scanning through songs while driving.

Drivers should also pay attention to the type of music they are listening. A 2013 study by a music psychologist in Israel has shown that music that creates a psychological response in the brain leads to daydreaming. A study of crash reports conducted by Erie Insurance found that daydreaming caused 62 per cent of distracted driving-related deaths. Hence, drivers should be mindful of their music selection, making sure that music inducing a strong positive or negative psychological response for them is left for another occasion.

So drivers, keep your eyes on the road. Distracted driving is Ontario’s biggest road killer, and that text message isn’t worth it. That’s why we’re a proud sponsor of idont.ca; take the pledge today to put a stop to distracted driving.

Fast dial #1000 free from your cell and we’ll get you the support you need.

 

May 5, 2016
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Do You Know How to Safely Navigate Thick Fog While Driving?

Do You Know How to Safely Navigate Thick Fog While Driving?

Fog forms when cool air passes over a warm body of water or moist land – so usually when there is a big difference in temperature between the ground and the air. When the humidity is high enough and there is enough water vapor or moisture fog is sure to form.

While it is quite the eerie sight to see – it can be completely unnerving for those who have to drive somewhere and navigate through the dense fog that hangs over the roads making visibility difficult. It takes a great deal of finesse and caution when heading out on the roads, and the ability to exercise a lot of patience in order to safely arrive at your destination.

With Canadian weather providing everything across the spectrum for drivers – here are some tips to help navigate thick fog while driving.

Don’t drive unless you absolutely have to

Unless the trip is absolutely imperative – put your travel plans on pause until the weather clears up. It might mess up your schedule a bit, but it’s not worth taking the risk.

Make sure your headlights are working properly

When conditions do start to get foggier, you need to turn your headlights on. Don’t just assume they already are – many cars’ dials light up even when the headlights are turned off these days, which can be misleading. If the fog is growing increasingly thick, turn your fog lights on – but only if the density of the fog keeps increasing.

Your complete checklist for fog driving

  1. If the fog is too dense to continue driving, you need to pull completely off the road and try to position your vehicle in a safe parking area. Turn on your emergency flashers, in addition to keeping your low-beam headlights on.
  2. Be patient while driving. There can’t be a rush when driving in fog. Never pass someone because you won’t have the ability to see oncoming traffic.
  3. Slow down gradually at every turn and make sure your speed is kept at a suitable condition if you need to break quickly.
  4. Do not follow too closely to the car in front of you – their reaction time might be slowed causing you to have to break quickly.
  5. Don’t speed up suddenly, even if the fog seems to be clearing. You could find yourself suddenly back in fog immediately.
  6. Leverage the use of pavement markings to help guide you. Use the right edge of the road as a guide, rather than the centre line with oncoming traffic ahead. 

Remember, if the trip isn’t worth it, then you need to rearrange your day accordingly. Fog drastically impacts your driving and visibility, especially at night. So if the trip isn’t necessary – then stay at home.

If you have been injured, and need legal assistance, call #1000 on your cell phone for free. We will offer you a free claim assessment.

May 1, 2016
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The Growing Dangers of Distracted Driving in Ontario

The Growing Dangers of Distracted Driving in Ontario

While the age of technology has provided advances and innovation that mankind once deemed impossible, it has a dark side. Societies unyielding need to be constantly plugged is proving to be highly dangerous.

While someone bumping into you on the sidewalk due to being distracted by his or her cell phone is irritating, the risks heighten dramatically when individuals are distracted by technology behind the wheel of a motorized vehicle.

Ontario law deems it illegal for drivers to dial, talk on the phone, type messages, text, and send emails while driving. Studies have shown that those who use their cell phone behind the wheel are four times more likely to crash than those who keep their eyes on the road ahead.

While looking down at your phone to read an important message for a brief two seconds may seem harmless, this momentary lapse of attention doubles your crash risk. No message is more important than your life and the lives of the drivers surrounding you.

Not only is the use of cell phones banned by drivers operating a vehicle, but even glancing at a display screen unrelated to driving is too. Some examples of prohibited devices are:

  • iPods
  • Cell phones
  • Smart phones
  • DVD players
  • Laptops
  • GPS screens
  • MP3 players

With the rate of distracted driving going up, the government is strengthening the punishments on the offense to help prevent senseless collisions. The fines or penalties you can incur for distracted driving if you are a fully licensed driver are as follows:

  • A fine of $400, an additional victim surcharge, and court costs. This totals to $490 if your case is settled
  • Fine of up to $1000 if a summons is received or you fight your ticket
  • Three demerit points added to your driving record

However, there are ways to use your devices while staying concentrated on the road and avoiding distracted driving charges. They are as follows:

  • Cell phones: If your phone has an earpiece, or is connected via Bluetooth you can use it only to activate the “hands-free” function. This exemption is only permitted if the device is mounted. You are not allowed to touch or scroll through it.
  • GPS: If your GPS is mounted on the dashboard or windshield, doesn’t obstruct your view of the road, and you inputted the information before you began driving – you are in the clear.
  • Media player plugged into the cars sound system: Permitted as long as the playlist was activated before you began driving

Emergencies

In the event of an emergency, you can use a hand-held device to call 911, but only if you’re in a situation that is causing danger to your safety or the safety of others. If you need to make a call, pull over if you can and keep the duration short.

At Dye and Russell, we’ve seen first hand how distracted driving collisions impact the emotional and physical health of our clients.

If you have been injured, and need legal assistance, call #1000 on your cell phone for free. We will offer you a free claim assessment.

April 9, 2016
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