Whether you are cruising along Old River Road in Lincoln or stuck on Bald Hill Road in Warwick, it is common to see Rhode Island motorists with their eyes glued to their smartphones. This trend has concerned the insurance industry and state lawmakers for years, but a new hands-free phone law that takes effect June 1 aims to curb this dangerous behavior. With highway message boards on I-195 and other places only briefly touching on the subject, Hunter Insurance would like to highlight what the new law means in your day-to-day life.
Last year, Gov. Gina Raimondo signed legislation into law that would forbid the use of cell phones while driving. Beginning June 1, 2018, drivers that are caught using a “hand-held communication device” could be fined up to $100.
“Distracted driving is one of the leading causes of automobile accidents, and the prevalence of smartphones among younger generations has only perpetuated fatal crashes,” said Brian Hunter, president of Hunter Insurance. “While the new law may be hard for some Rhode Islanders, it is a step in the right direction that will undoubtedly save lives.”
The most recent statistics from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) paints a grim picture regarding distracted driving in the United States. The government agency found that 3,450 people died in automobile accidents involving distracted drivers in 2016. Most alarmingly, the agency estimates there are roughly half a million drivers using their cell phone during daylight hours every day—a recipe that could lead to enormous loss of life and a surge in traffic accidents on U.S. roadways.
When combined with the findings of analytics firm Zendrive, Rhode Island has fallen behind many of its New England brethren when it comes to practicing safe driving behaviors. According to Zendrive, roughly 88 percent of motorists are using their phone while driving and Rhode Island was among the top 10 states with the most distracted drivers per capita.
An example of how dangerous distracted driving can be is best illustrated in a campaign run by the NHTSA. Their message explains that taking your eyes off the highway for five seconds is equivalent to driving the length of a football field blindfolded. “This really drives home the message that drivers should keep their eyes on the road at all times because it only takes one second for a major accident to happen,” Hunter said.
While the new hands-free phone law is likely to be met with some backlash from long-time residents, there are some exceptions Rhode Islanders should be aware of before reaching out to their state representatives.
Firstly, motorists can use a hand-held phone while driving if the call is an emergency. Another exception is that drivers can accept calls if they are using a hands-free Bluetooth device or using their cars’ infotainment system to take a call. And finally, first-time violators could have their fine suspended if they can prove they purchased a Bluetooth device at a later court date.
“Good behaviors start with you. If you are using a phone while you are driving, you could be encouraging a bad habit for the teenagers in your home. Put down the phone, or any other distractions, and simply focus on arriving to your destination safely to help promote good driving behaviors,” Hunter said.
Committed to protecting families and businesses in Southern New England from all types of loss, Hunter Insurance has been providing auto, home and life insurance for more than 25 years. Speak with one of our agents at 401-769-9500 to learn other ways you can protect your family.