During Distracted Driving Awareness Month, an outreach campaign that was moved to October due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, Indiana Governor Eric J. Holcomb is encouraging Hoosiers to put their phones down to avoid distractions while driving. Gov. Holcomb has been working to make Indiana roads safer with the passing of a hands-free driving law, which prohibits drivers from holding a mobile device, except in emergencies, while their vehicle is moving. In the state of Indiana alone, distracted driving was a contributing factor in more than 10,000 collisions and 24 roadway fatalities in 2019. Texting while driving continues to be a top distraction among drivers, according to the Indiana Criminal Justice Institute, along with eating and drinking, taking selfies, and fiddling with the entertainment or navigation system. The Indiana Criminal Justice Institute encourages drivers to put their phones on “do not disturb” mode while driving and to have a passenger that can serve as the designated texter by allowing only them to access the phone.
Driving can be very distracting already with new technology for navigation and entertainment. Like speed limits, the hands-free driving law is not a guarantee for stopping people from using their phones while behind the wheel. If you or someone you know has been injured or killed in a car accident by someone driving in a negligent manner, please contact the experienced legal team at Schiller Law Offices at 888-578-3100 or at IndyInjured.com to learn more about your potential right to compensation.