Avoid Distracted Driving To Avoid Trouble With The Law

Go back in time 25 years and distracted driving wasn’t nearly as big of a problem as it is today. There are many reasons for this, including the fact that technology, such as smartphones, has taken over the world.

Distracted driving is a bad idea for many reasons, including the fact that it greatly increases the risk of causing an accident. Furthermore, if a police officer sees you texting or dialing while driving, it could result in a serious penalty.

In Hawaii, anyone texting or dialing while driving faces a fine of up to $250. And that’s if it’s your first offense. If you’ve been cited for this violation in the past, your fine will be larger. Furthermore, there are other penalties that can result in a larger fine, such as if you’re caught texting and driving in a school zone.

Follow these safety tips

It’s easy to say that you won’t become distracted when driving, but following your own advice is a challenge.

Here are some safety tips to consider:

• Your cellphone is for emergency purposes only: When your vehicle is in motion, your cellphone should be out of reach. If you need to use it, such as to make a call or send a text, pull your vehicle to safety. The only time you should use your cellphone when driving is in the event of an emergency, such as to report a serious accident.
• Don’t let passengers distract you: From your co-worker in the front passenger seat to your children in the back, driving with passengers is often a distraction. Let the people in your vehicle know that you must pay attention to the road, so conversation should be kept to a minimum.
• Don’t multi-task: The more time you spend in your vehicle the more likely it is that you’ll try to multi-task. For example, you attempt to drive, police your children and adjust the radio all at the same time. Multi-tasking is one of the worst forms of distracted driving, since it pulls you in many different directions.

Even if you receive a distracted driving citation, it doesn’t mean you should immediately pay the fine. You have the legal right to challenge it in court, with the goal of having the citation thrown out or the fine reduced.