The case for requiring hands-free cell phone while driving is one easily made by anyone driving down the highway and watching people talk on the cell phone. On my way to work this morning I again noticed a car traveling at a very slow rate of speed and actually impeding traffic while the driver was talking on the telephone. This is a common occurrence and one that undoubtedly leads to numerous car accidents across the state of Texas every year.
While studies are inconclusive about the effectiveness of hands-free adapters for cell phones, in practice there is little doubt that cell phone use while driving is both popular and dangerous. Attempts to regulate cell phone use and texting while driving in Texas have been vetoed by our governor and other common sense proposals have failed to pass the legislature.
15 years ago cell phone use was not the problem it is today and cell phones were not "smartphones" which accessible text messages and e-mail. In fact, today a smartphone is an essential tool for any businessperson.
With the explosion of cell phone use comes more and more car accidents that occur because someone was on the phone or looking at their phone and not paying attention to the road ahead.
It is high time that Texas past a ban on texting and limitations on cell phone use while driving to only situations involving hands-free communications. Call your legislator today and demand action.
Greg Baumgartner is a Texas personal injury attorney and the founder of the Baumgartner law firm, which is dedicated to helping personal injury victims seek civil justice. If you would like to speak with a Houston accident lawyer call the Baumgartner firm toll free at 1-866-758-4529.
