Distracted driving laws have emerged recently in some States in America, particularly in West Virginia. State lawmakers have created these distracted driving laws following a series of accidents involving the use of mobile devices while driving.
The new distracted driving laws or guidelines in West Virginia took effect on June 30 after it was passed on June 9. Beau Evans, the traffic safety director for Huntington and Region 2 for the Governor’s Highway Safety Program said the implementation of the distracted driving laws was created to help reduce accidents caused by distracted driving in West Virginia.
West Virginia’s distracted driving laws are named after one of the victims.
The distracted driving laws were a direct response by the state following the death of 37-year-old Robin Ames who was struck and killed by 27-year-old Tara Evans in Preston County, West Virginia in 2020. According to CBS affiliate WDTV, the victim was on his bicycle when the car accident happened, due to the reason that Tara Evans was on her phone.
West Virginia lawmakers named the distracted driving laws as The Robin Ames Memorial Act, reported by WCHS.
Fines and Punishments Behind the Distracted Driving Laws
According to a report found in The U.S. Sun, the severity of breaking the distracted driving laws in West Virginia is based on whether the driver injures or kills someone while distractedly driving behind the wheel.
More specifically, West Virginia drivers and motorists will be charged with misdemeanors incurring a penalty that may include:
- 120 days in jail
- a maximum fine of $1,000
- or both
Other states who implemented the distracted driving laws
Michigan, started last Friday with a driving ban on any cell phone use while driving unless drivers or motorists use it to call 911. The midwestern state became the 26th to pass distracted driving laws or hands-free driving laws
The penalties for breaking the distracted driving laws in Michigan will include:
First offense: $100 or 16-hour community service and or both
Second offense: $250 or 24-hour community service or both.