The Dangers of Distracted Driving in Long Island, NY

September 11, 2001… this date has become a symbol of tragedy, hate, and war. Us New Yorkers are especially affected by the events of that dreadful day. For most, February 26, 1993, does not bring about the same emotion as does 9/11, should it? 2/26, of course, was the day the World Trade Center was first attacked. So why then does 9/11 resonate when 2/26 doesn’t? It is likely due to the fact that on 9/11 2,996 people died as opposed to the 6 that died on 2/26. What would happen in America if another 3,000 people died unnecessarily? Would that date live in infamy like 9/11? According to National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 3,328 Americans DIED in 2012 due to distracted/texting while driving. Unfortunately, this is not an aberration as the yearly average death toll is about 3,000 per year and likely to go up. Let this sink in, about 3,000 Americans are killed a year! Where is the outrage? It is coming… At Schalk Ciaccio & Kahn, P.C. we routinely appear at all traffic courts in Nassau and Suffolk counties. We have seen a shift in the way the Courts are handling tickets issued for texting while driving. If convicted, a driver will be assessed 5 points and a large fine. The 5 points will undoubtedly increase your insurance rates for many years. Even worse, you could go to jail. As Nassau and Suffolk criminal lawyers, we believe that if someone is killed due to a distracted driver who is texting the Nassau and Suffolk District Attorneys will file manslaughter charges! There is no doubt that the Courts are cracking down on distracted driving. We must all heed these changes.
Additionally, the personal injury department at Schalk, Ciaccio & Kahn has seen an increase in car accidents where people are injured because the other driver was distracted from texting. Our injured clients are your sons, daughters, brothers, sisters, loved ones, and friends. We all need to do better in putting the phone down and waiting until it is safe. “It can wait,” is a phrase made popular by the website itcanwait.com. We encourage everyone, especially young drivers, to log on and take the pledge.

If you or a loved one is ever injured in a car accident due to someone texting while driving, call the long island personal injury attorneys at Schalk, Ciaccio & Kahn. If you are arrested or issued a traffic ticket in Nassau or Suffolk Counties, you should call the Long Island criminal attorneys at Schalk, Ciaccio & Kahn.

Let us all protect the precious lives of the people we share our roads with.