As the Valley’s roadways become the scene of more injuries and tragedies every day, the law is looking for ways to prevent them. One such initiative the state legislature has taken, with the support of many jurisdictions throughout the state, is mandating that all drivers who talk on cell phones do so using a hands-free device, such as a headset. A Henderson car accident attorney can tell you that nearly all auto accidents are preventable and generally caused by carelessness or inattention to the road.

Texting while driving has been banned in 35 states, including Nevada.

Some examples of this are texting behind the wheel and answering calls without a Bluetooth or a similar headset device. Graphic signs featuring tombstones engraved with popular textspeak expressions such as “LOL” and “OMG” juxtaposed with the time-honored “RIP” are intended to convey the dangers of texting while driving to teens, but sadly, the message doesn’t seem to be getting through. Car accidents remain the number one killer of children under the age of eighteen, and texting has often been cited as the cause of accidents.

But what about talking on a cell phone? How can that be a hazardous behavior? Many Nevada drivers are angry about the new ban on talking on a cell phone without a hands-free device, but they don’t stop to consider the bigger picture. When your phone rings, just for a second, you’re distracted from the road. If you have a hands-free device, you take the call and go on. But if you don’t:

You have to rummage through your purse, your pockets, the cup holders, and the glove compartment until you find the phone. All the while, your eyes and attention are off what’s in front of you, splitting your focus. Then you pick up the phone and answer it, which means you’re driving with one hand. While you’re talking, you’re not giving the road its due attention, which can create a very dangerous situation for you and others around you.

“Hang up and drive” is no longer just a catch phrase: It is a law, with very serious consequences attached to being found breaking it. These penalties are even stiffer if you’re in a school zone when you get caught. Some jurisdictions double or even triple the fines you may have to pay. Safe driving is everyone’s responsibility, and it’s up to all of us to do our part to keep Nevada’s roadways safe. For more information on the new law and how it affects you, contact a car accident attorney Las Vegas locals trust. But, please, wait until after you stop the car.

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