There is no question that texting while driving is a problem that affects the entire country. In fact, the National Safety Council estimates that cell phone use causes more than 1.5 million car accidents each year. That means that about one out of four accidents in the U.S. can be tied to texting and driving.
While many people are struggling to find ways to reduce this number by passing laws or raising awareness, one company in Sacramento is taking an entirely different route: They are rewarding people for “tattling” on their fellow drivers. Read on to see how it works. If you are injured in an accident, whether it involved texting or not, contact The Law Offices of Larry H. Parker at 800-333-0000 for a free legal consultation.
The details of the app
The app is called Text to Ticket and it is supported by many people in government positions, including Kevin Johnson, the previous mayor of Sacramento. The way the app works is simple. If a driver sees someone texting while driving, then the driver takes a short video of them doing so. The app driver must of course certify that they are not themselves driving while they are driving. The company reviews the video and, if approved, the driver receives $5 for providing the video.
The long-term goal of Text to Ticket
The app developers hope that they can work with law enforcement to process citations to the drivers who are texting while driving. The developers would then receive a portion of the fees collected by the city or state. Without the app, an officer must see an infraction in order to write the ticket. The app developers are working with lobbyists to change the law so that citizen video can be used as evidence for a citation.
Other options to combat distracted driving
We have all seen the campaigns designed to address distracted driving, including texting while driving. These methods do not seem to be working, as the numbers continue to go up. California has introduced legislation to ban texting while driving and yet it happens every day.
Other companies are working on finding solutions as well, including some cell phone manufacturers. They are working to create technology that can prevent a driver from sending or receiving text messages while they are driving.
As a driver, you can do your part. If you have teens at home, educate them about how dangerous it is to text and drive – and lead by example. If you are tempted to text while driving, either keep your phone in the backseat where you can’t use it, or install an app that keeps your phone from distracting you while driving.
If you are the unfortunate victim of an accident caused by texting and driving, contact a personal injury attorney for a free legal consultation. At The Law Offices of Larry H. Parker, we are here to help you understand your options. Call today at 800-333-0000.
