A reminder to keep your eyes on the road!

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As many of you know, Utah has been taking great steps in an effort to minimize cell phone and other distractions behind the wheel.  In fact, our recent post titled Explaining the New Cell Phone and Driving Law outlines Utah’s new statute.

The following video is an effective way to convey this very important message.  It is only 90 seconds long, but well worth a watch.  Please share this message with those around you.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JHixeIr_6BM

explaining the utah cell phone and driving law

Explaining the Utah Cell Phone & Driving Law

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There has been a lot of confusion regarding the new cell phone law in Utah. Lawmakers attempted to allow some behaviors that they felt were not as dangerous as others. This attempt at avoiding an all-out ban on cell phone use while driving has left some drivers unsure about what conduct is acceptable. The following is the relevant section of the new statute:

Utah Code: Title 41/Chapter 6A/Section 1716:

(2) Except as provided in Subsection (3), a person may not use a handheld wireless communication device while operating a moving motor vehicle on a highway in this state to manually:

(a) write, send, or read a written communication, including:

(i) a text message;

(ii) an instant message; or

(iii) electronic mail;

(b) dial a phone number;

(c) access the Internet;

(d) view or record video; or

(e) enter data into a handheld wireless communication device.

(3) Subsection (2) does not prohibit a person from using a handheld wireless communication device while operating a moving motor vehicle:

(a) when using a handheld communication device for voice communication;

(b) to view a global positioning or navigation device or a global positioning or navigation application;

(c) during a medical emergency;

(d) when reporting a safety hazard or requesting assistance relating to a safety hazard;

(e) when reporting criminal activity or requesting assistance relating to a criminal activity;

(f) when used by a law enforcement officer or emergency service personnel acting within the  course and scope of the law enforcement officer’s or emergency service personnel’s employment; or

(g) to operate:

(i) hands-free or voice operated technology; or

(ii) a system that is physically or electronically integrated into the motor vehicle.

 Our Summary

Once you break it down, it’s not that complicated. The main emphasis of the law is to entirely eliminate data entry while driving; that means no typing. No typing a text, email, or even a phone number. It also bans surfing the web and recording or viewing video. However, Utah drivers can still answer calls, make calls without dialing, and use their g.p.s.

If you have other questions related to Utah Auto Law, check out our free legal resources tab at stglegal.com.

When It’s Not Your Time!

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As a St. George, Utah personal injury law firm, we often see cases where we wonder how someone could survive a crash let alone sustain non life-threatening injuries.  Whether you believe its luck or the work of a higher power, the video below may make you believe in MIRACLES!

U.S. Government Releases Texting While Driving Video

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The U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration recently released a new video aimed at bringing attention to the dangers of texting while driving.

The new video portrays a group of three teens traveling in a vehicle in which the driver hears a beep and looks down to check her text messages.  While checking her messages the driver takes her eyes off the road for a split second and misses a stop sign.  The result is a t-bone collision in which a truck crashes into the passenger side of the vehicle causing it to roll of the road.

The governments message is as clear as the video is chilling.  DO NOT TEXT WHILE DRIVING!  Please share this video with those around you.  Texting while driving crashes are happening far too often on Utah’s roadways.  Together we can all make the roads safer if we put our phones down and keep our eyes on the road.

The Dangers of Daydreaming While Driving

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A recent study by the Erie Insurance Group of more than 65,000 fatal crashes over a two year span shows that 62% of accidents were blamed on daydreaming.  That is a surprising fact and it is five times as many crashes as are attributed to talking or texting on a mobile phone. This is a shocking study that each of us can help to change.