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States are cracking down on distracted driving. But they might be going about it the wrong way, according to a recent study. Research from the University of Arkansas suggests that the urge to use a cellphone behind the wheel is tied to obsessive-compulsive disorder, rendering much distracted driving legislation ineffective.
As states continue to look for effective ways to discourage drinking and driving, a few have turned to specially designed license plates that let police and other drivers know that the motorist is a DUI or DWI offender. An added punishment on top of the fines, jail time and increased auto insurance premiums offenders already face, these license plates have stirred up some controversy. Whether you’re facing a DUI or DWI charge or want to be more diligent in watching out for motorists with a history of drinking and driving, it’s a good idea to become familiar with these laws and programs.
Don’t sneak a peek at your text messages when you’re stopped at a traffic light or stuck in traffic in Maryland. As of Oct. 1, Maryland has banned the reading of text messages while driving.
Jail time, fines and license suspensions are some of the consequences that those convicted of drunken driving face. In some cases, they also face an additional hurdle — an ignition interlock device that prevents them from committing the same crime twice.
The most effective way to keep drunken drivers off the road may be to prevent their cars from starting in the first place. A coalition of safety-minded groups has put $10 million toward technology that would make this possible — and is encouraging Congress to do the same.
Whether it’s a cellphone ban for young drivers, a texting ban or an overall hand-held cellphone ban, nearly every state has some sort of law that restricts the use of cellphones while driving. But does enforcing these laws actually decrease distracted driving? According to a recent experiment, it may.
Most drivers know that the consequences for driving drunk can be severe — and that the results can be devastating. Yet there are other substances besides alcohol that make driving dangerous.
Although not as widely discussed as drunk driving, “drugged driving” can have the same disastrous effects.
It’s something you may have seen on a summer day — a wide-open country highway and a small pickup speeding along the road with a couple of kids and a dog in the rear bed. While this may evoke a sense of nostalgia and adventure, it’s important to remember that riding in the cargo area of pickup trucks puts both children and adults at risk for serious injuries or death.
Alcohol-impaired accident deaths accounted for 32 percent of all traffic deaths in 2009, according to the Insurance Information Institute. So, it’s no surprise that state lawmakers want to make things difficult for repeat and first-time offenders alike.
What can you expect after a drunken driving conviction? Convicted drunken drivers face a flood of financial and personal hardship. Depending on where you live, a drunken driving conviction could bring you fines, jail time, license suspension and even higher auto insurance costs.
