Car accidents happen all too often in Louisiana, some of them with fatal results. The sad reality is, most of these events are preventable. It is believed that cellphone use contributes to quite a few serious or fatal motor vehicle accidents. In an effort to save lives and prevent injury, lawmakers are currently considering a hands-free cellphone bill that would require people to use wireless systems if they wish to use their phones while driving.
At the beginning of May 2019, it was reported that the hands-free bill was moving to the House of Representatives for review. This bill has gained serious support from the public and law enforcement officers. Several lawmakers who have witnessed the dangers of using mobile devices while driving with their own eyes believe that this bill is desperately needed and long overdue.
Current laws only ban texting and hands-on cellphone use in school zones. These limited bans have done little to reduce the number of accidents related to cellphone use. By expanding the ban of hands-on mobile device use to everywhere in the state, lawmakers and law enforcement officials hope to see a drastic reduction in the number of serious distraction-related auto accidents.
A lot of good can come out of this bill being passed, but new laws only work if the public abides by them. Chances are, even if the bill passes, there are those in Louisiana who will still fall victim to individuals using their cellphones while driving. Those injured or those who have lost loved ones in such motor vehicle accidents may be entitled to seek compensation for their losses through legal means.