Even while the City of Scottsdale’s Transportation Commission recently put up a report on legislative efforts against distracted driving in Arizona, as many as 9 people and over 1,060 are injured daily in highways nationwide,” said Michael Nysather of Wade & Nysather Law Offices.
The personal injury lawyer was referring to the March 20, 2014 report by Scottsdale’s Traffic Engineering Manager Philip Kercher, and Holly Walter of the Public Information Office. Nysather underscored the urgency for the Arizona State Legislature to come up with laws addressing texting while driving as a distraction.
“It is surprising that, while three bills were introduced to the House and Senate this year, none have been heard at the committee level yet,” said Nysather. “This simply means the bills will not be discussed on the floor during this session anytime soon.”
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention, which is tasked to monitor not only diseases but provide data on injury prevention and control related to motor vehicle safety, defines distracted driving as “driving while doing another activity that takes your attention away from driving.” It also mentions that distractions such as visual (taking away one’s eyes from the road), manual (taking one’s hands off the wheel) and cognitive (taking one’s mind off the task of driving) increase the chances of a motor vehicle crash. It also mentions the rise in number of casualties and people injured in road accidents and relate this with the increase of SMS messages sent each year, and the percentage of drivers 18-64 years old who admit to using their mobile phone while driving.
“Texting while driving definitely should be recognized as a distraction by law,” said Nysather, who notes that currently, Arizona prohibits use of handheld phones while driving among school bus drivers only, and that among cities for the state, only Tucson and Phoenix have ordinances against texting while driving. “Otherwise, people may cite the absence of an operating law to escape liability from personal injury claims,” he added.
Nysather has successfully helped hundreds get compensation for personal injury in Scottsdale where he specializes in accident claims involving motor vehicle accidents, slips and falls, dog bites, occupational hazards and product liabilities.
For more information on how to proceed with a personal injury claim involving distracted drivers, visit Wade & Nysather Law Office’s website, www.AZAccident.com.
About Wade & Nysather Law Office
Wade & Nysather Law Office is Arizona’s premier personal injury lawyers. Backed by years of collective experience in the practice of accident law, Wade & Nysather’s accident attorneys and staff have helped thousands of claimants in getting compensation for personal injuries involving motor vehicle accidents, slips and falls, defective products and occupational injuries.
Wade & Nysather offers a no-upfront payment service, which translates to a quick attendance to and settlement of personal injury claims.
Wade & Nysather maintains three offices in central Arizona’s main cities:
Wade & Nysather Law Offices—Scottsdale
8961 East Bell Road, Suite 201, Scottsdale, AZ 85260
Wade & Nysather Law Offices—Glendale
16222 North 59th Avenue, Suite B-220, Glendale, Arizona 85306
Wade & Nysather Law Offices—Sun City
11250 N 107th Avenue, Sun City, AZ 85351
To learn more about Wade & Nysather Law Offices, or to avail of their accident law service, visit their website www.AZAccident.com or call their telephone number (480) 258-6200.