Category: Distracted Driving

West Virginia Bills – Keeping You Safe on the Road

On By Jeffery RobinetteIn Car Accidents, Child Safety, Distracted DrivingLeave a comment

The West Virginia texting bill passed the Senate earlier this month and is now in the House.  This legislation will make texting or talking on a hand-held cell phone while driving a primary offense.

A seat belt bill will also be up for a vote in the Senate this week.  This bill would make not wearing a seat belt a primary offense.  Current state law makes seat belt non-use a secondary offense.  Kanawha County Senator Corey Palumbo has been working on this bill for several years with the goal of reducing the number of deaths and serious injuries on West Virginia roads each year.  Thirty-five states have already implemented similar seat belt laws. 

If you are in a major crash, you have about a 25% chance of survival without a seatbelt compared to a 52% rate of survival if you are wearing a seat belt. 

If you or your loved one has been  affected by a serious car accident, please visit us at http://www.robinettelaw.com or call our office at 304-594-1800 for help today.

Record Number of Car Accidents in Star City, WV

On By Jeffery RobinetteIn Car Accidents, Community Safety, Distracted Driving, UncategorizedLeave a comment
Accidents in Star City, WV at an All-time High
Accidents in Star City, WV at an All-time High

Car accidents on the stretch between the Coliseum and Star City bridge are occurring every day in Morgantown.  Texting, talking, and other distractions have made this boulevard one of the most likely places in Morgantown to be involved in an accident, according to Police Chief Vic Propst.  Traffic is only expected to increase once the new Sheetz gas station on the Star City side of the bridge is completed.  New traffic signals to be installed will serve to regulate and slow down traffic, but in the meantime, please be careful.

Texting While Driving Four Times More Dangerous Than Drunk Driving

On By Jeffery RobinetteIn Car Accidents, Distracted DrivingLeave a comment

A bill that would outlaw texting and using a hand-held cell phone while driving was passed unanimously by the West Virginia Senate Judiciary Committee.  Texting while driving would now be a primary offense.  Using a hand-held cell phone would still be a secondary offense.  A person who texts while driving is twenty-three times more likely to be involved in an accident.

The West Virginia Trucking Association also supports the bill.  Truckers  are already prohibited from texting or talking on hand-held phones while driving.

Texting while driving is a dangerous epidemic on America’s roadways. In 2009 alone, nearly 5,500 people were killed and 450,000 more were injured in distracted driving crashes.

The Senate bill sets the fines at $50 for the first offense; $100 for the second offense, and $200 for each subsequent offense.  Drivers would be penalized three points for a third texting offense.

Governor Tomblin supports the bill.  The bill will now go to the full Senate, and a similar version is being considered in the House.

Drivers Involved in Fatal Crashes by Age and Vehicle Type, 2009

Total Drivers

 

Distracted Drivers

 

Drivers With Cell Phone*

(% of Distracted Drivers)

 
Total 

45,230

 

5,084 (11%)

 

1,006 (20%)

 

Drivers by Age Group

 
Under 20 

3,967

 

619 (16%)

 

138 (22%)

 
20-29 

10,719

 

1,378 (13%)

 

293 (21%)

 
30-39 

7,633

 

832 (11%)

 

196 (24%)

 
40-49 

7,930

 

811 (10%)

 

161 (20%)

 
50-59 

6,559

 

631 (10%)

 

124 (20%)

 
60-69 

3,968

 

367 (9%)

 

56 (15%)

 
70+ 

3,778

 

408 (11%)

 

37 (9%)

 

Drivers by Vehicle Type

 
Passenger Car 

18,279

 

2,044 (11%)

 

386 (19%)

 
Light Truck 

17,822

 

2,117 (12%)

 

475 (22%)

 
Motorcycle 

4,593

 

562 (12%)

 

63 (11%)

 
Large Truck 

3,187

 

257 (8%)

 

75 (29%)

 
Bus 

221

 

14 (6%)

 

3 (21%)