NJ Police Car Accident Reports Soon to Describe Distracted Driving
Apr 7th, 2010 | By Michael L. Saile, Jr., Esq. | Category: Blogs, New Jersey Injury Information
Heads up and eyes on the road! We provide you with this warning as New Jersey moves a Bill through its legislature that would require police to report whether driver distraction was the cause or contributing factor to a NJ car accident. The New Jersey State Assembly approved a bill on March 22, 2010 requiring police car accident reports to include detailed information pertaining to driver distraction at the time of a NJ car accident.
This Bill has wide support among New Jersey legislators. If it does become law, traffic accident report forms used by New Jersey police departments will be modified to include an area for the investigating officer to report whether or not the New Jersey car accident was attributable in any way to driver inattention.
Though information pertaining to the specific type of driver distraction that was taking place at the time of the NJ car accident will be disclosed on accident reports, insurance companies would not be permitted to use the information adversely against a policyholder.
According to the proposed law, individuals are considered to be inattentive while driving if using pagers, GPS devices, radios, and all other audio/visual delivery devices. Additionally, if a driver is fatigued, engaging in the act of personal grooming, food or beverage consumption, reading, or attending to an unsecured pet, he/she is deemed a distracted driver.
Police investigating New Jersey car accidents would also be required to report if the drivers involved were using hand held cell phones when the NJ car accident occurred, but penalties associated with the use of hand held cell phones fall under a different New Jersey law. Driving while using a hand held cell phone in New Jersey is a primary offense and carries of fine of $100.
It is best to remain distraction-free while behind the wheel, as we all know, for the safety of yourself and of others. If you are injured in a Pennsylvania or New Jersey car accident due to another’s carelessness, contact car accident injury lawyer Michael L. Saile, Jr. for a free consultation.
