New “Safe Phone Zones” could reduce distracted driving car crashes

Distracted driving car crashes on the rise
State of Illinois enacts “Safe Phone Zones” along Illinois Tollway
GHSA approves these efforts to discourage distracted driving
These types of programs spreading nationwide

An exciting initiative being implemented by Illinois officials could help lead to reduced distracted driving dangers in the state. The program that is set to roll out will designate certain “Safe Phone Zones” along the Illinois Tollway in 2015. These safe zones will provide areas to sit along with free WiFi and will tie in to the state’s traffic oasis locations that are already in place. Considering the statistics that show distracted driving can play a huge role in causing car crashes, this program is expected to be particularly useful for those who need to use their phones while traveling.

Print This plan is combining the efforts of the Travelers Marketing organization with the state of Illinois. It is intended to give motorists places where they can safely pull off the road to check their phones for calls, emails, text messages, and the like. This will hopefully prevent drivers from checking their phones while actually moving on the road, thus keeping both themselves and others much safer.

The Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA) is an organization that represents nationwide groups dedicated to highway safety. According to a GHSA official, this initiative is a great method of both recognizing that many people have valid reasons to use their cell phones while traveling while at the same time discouraging drivers from engaging in distracted driving related to those mobile devices. This could hopefully be a win-win strategy for both drivers and those who share the road with them.

Other states have also made use of these cell phone safe zones, including Arizona and Virginia. Travelers Marketing was reportedly involved with both of those initiatives. New York state also implemented a system of “Texting Zones” back in 2013. This could become a nationwide effort, especially if statistics end up showing that these safe zones reduce incidents of motor vehicles caused by distracted driving.

A 2013 survey revealed that this concern is beginning to be tackled with more serious efforts by states across the country, with 43 states plus the District of Columbia taking cases involving distracted driving more seriously than they used to do. In fact, 47 states had already enacted cell phone use while driving at the time of that survey. Some of the states specifically banned texting and 11 states prohibited hand-held use of cell phones completely while driving.

Of course, the sad truth is that even this interesting program won’t stop all drivers from engaging in distracted driving. Those innocent parties who are injured in car crashes due to those who choose to use their cell phones while driving may find themselves facing extreme medical expenses or even losing their lives. They could benefit from finding out more about their rights under personal injury and wrongful death laws. Our St. Louis car accident law firm can be reached toll-free at 1-888-586-7041. Please call us with any questions you may have related to your injuries or loved one’s death, and we will be happy to arrange a free initial meeting.