PA Drivers Should Call 911 to Report Dangerous Texting Drivers

Our Pennsylvania car accident attorneys have continued to provide information to educate drivers of the dangers of texting while driving. The National Safety Council (NSC) reports that nationwide almost 25 percent of car crashes involve cell phone use and nearly 1.3 million crashes each year can be attributed to cell phone usage while driving. If you are a focused, defensive driver, however, the USA Today reports that you should get away from distracted drivers to help prevent yourself from becoming one of these statistics.

According to the USA Today, police not only recommend distancing yourself from the offensive drivers, but also suggest calling 911 if you believe the drivers are a danger to others. Auburn Police Division Capt. Tom Stofer told USA Today that drivers should give a wide berth to texting drivers — and to call 911 in the worst cases.

“If I was a citizen and if I saw an extreme case, because they are a danger to me and to themselves, I would call something like that in to the police,” said Stofer.

William Van Tassel, AAA’s manager of driver training programs, also recommends that drivers steer clear of distracted drivers. “A good rule of thumb is, if you determine somebody might be distracted, just go ahead and assume that they don’t see you at all,” he says.

In March, Pennsylvania’s anti-texting law went into effect making texting-while-driving a primary offense. PA law enforcement can stop and ticket a driver for texting and driving now, without any other violation.

So, how do police and other drivers spot a “texter”? The USA Today offers the following symptoms of a texting driver:

Drivers going faster than the speed limit;
Drivers going slower than the speed limit;
Drivers that weave across the lane;
Drivers who continue to sit at a light after it turns green, or who drive through red lights; and
Drivers who keep their head down and have just one hand on the wheel.

Our Pennsylvania car accident attorneys have seen the devastation a distracted driver can cause. We ask all drivers to stay focused when behind the wheel and to not text and drive. We also ask that you encourage friends and family members to refrain from using their cell phones when driving.

About Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys

Munley Law is a Pennsylvania accident and injury law firm that represents car accident victims and their families throughout the state of Pennsylvania and the Northeast, including those injured in accidents that involve speeding, distracted driving, drunk driving, fatigued driving, aggressive driving and careless driving in hazardous weather conditions. The Pennsylvania personal injury law firm’s additional practice areas include trucking accidents, motorcycle accidents, medical malpractice, defective products, toxic chemicals, workplace injuries, nursing home litigation and other serious accidents. To contact the law firm, use the firm’s online contact form.