Distracted driving can cause serious accidents on Mississippi roads. The law allows most drivers to use a cell phone to talk while driving, but it is against the law for them to text, read or post to social media using a hand-held mobile device while driving.
In addition to causing an accident, drivers can also be fined for violating this law. The Mississippi Department of Public Safety keeps records of citations issued for these violations, including whether the driver was involved in any additional traffic violations and whether there was damage to a vehicle or a passenger.
There can also be additional fines for bus drivers and drivers with a learner’s permit.
Safety tips
There are some safety tips that are useful for drivers to keep in mind. Drivers can turn off the phone when they get into the car, put the phone in a locked glove box or in the trunk to avoid answering it or add an outgoing message that the driver will return the call when it is safe to do so.
While it is easy to be distracted by the responsibilities of daily life, the safest option is to focus on the road.
It may also be helpful to have a passenger use the phone instead or let someone else drive.
If a person has been injured in a motor vehicle accident, including those caused by another driver’s failure to pay attention on the road, he or she can incur significant medical expenses and lost wages which may require compensation.
An attorney can assist the injured person with pursuing a claim.