Drivers in New York and other parts of the country do not need anyone to tell them that texting while driving is a bad idea. About 98% of the participants in one poll expressed that texting while driving was a safety hazard. However, half of the poll respondents admitted to texting while driving, and 40% said they do so regularly.
Law enforcement is hoping that the threat of traffic tickets will help put an end to texting and driving. Many drivers who take part in this dangerous activity think police officers have no way of knowing when a driver is texting, but there are some tell-tale signs.
The phone is visible
Some drivers who text while behind the wheel of a car do not try very hard to conceal the action. Many times, the hand holding the phone is resting on the steering wheel. Drivers should also not think that tinted windows make it impossible for police officers to see a cellphone in their hands.
Driver’s head position
Drivers who keep their phones on their lap or another place not seen through a window are still not safe from police when texting and driving. A head that looks down while one hand guides the car is a pretty good reason for a police officer to suspect that the driver is texting.
Glow from the screen
The light from a cellphone screen is needed for nighttime texting to become possible. It is also the thing that will alert a police officer to a driver who is texting while driving in the nighttime hours.
Motorcycle officers
Officers riding bicycles or motorcycles gain a better view of a car’s inside when next to one in traffic. These officers are more likely to see a phone in the hand of a motorist.
Texting while driving is a dangerous habit that is discouraged with fines and other consequences. Individuals accused of texting while driving may be better able to protect themselves from the potential damage to their driving record with the help of an attorney.