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Oregon’s Cell Phone Ban | Portland Personal Injury Lawyer
Date: January 14, 2010Location: Portland, Oregon
They still may be a few hang ups surrounding the new cell phone law in Oregon.
Portland police cracked down on drivers using cell phones two weeks after Oregon’s hands-free cell phone law went into effect. The new law bans talking or texting while behind the wheel.
Police handed out 55 tickets during the day and afternoon shifts, Portland police told The Oregonian.
Violating the new law can be expensive, with a ticket costing the driver $142.
The Oregonian said some drivers were involved in riskier situations than others, like the driver who was swerving through traffic, phone to ear. Police caught another driver texting at a stop light. But regardless of the situation, it’s all against the law.
Drivers should also be aware that dialing a cell phone is considered “texting.” Hands-free mobile phone operation is allowed for drivers 18 and older, but drivers under 18 are not allowed to use cell phones at all.
More of these so-called “education missions” are scheduled for the month of January.
This long-overdue law will make the roads safer by reducing the number of distracted drivers on Oregon roads, and, we hope, cut down on accidents.
If someone chooses to text while driving, they don't just endanger their own lives, they also endanger other drivers on the road who are being responsible. Just ask Peggy Tucker, whose daughter was killed when a driver talking on a cell phone hit her head-on. Peggy Tucker was in the Senate chamber when they were considering this legislation. When it passed, she thanked the bill's sponsor, Rep. Tomei.
Too many accidents are caused by the inattention of drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians. Even if you’re not in a car, talking or texting on a cell phone can result in serious injury or death. Streets are not a good place to stop paying attention.
We hope that now that the “education” is over, police will start handing out the tickets. Maybe if the thought of hitting a pedestrian or cyclist doesn’t deter drivers, taking a hit to the wallet will.
Shulman DuBois is located at 1553 SE Tolman Street, Portland, OR 97202. Call us at 503-222-4411 or email us at info@pdxinjurylaw.com.
1 Comments to "Oregon’s Cell Phone Ban | Portland Personal Injury Lawyer"
If this law prevents people from texting while they are driving then I am all for it! However, the hands-free use of cell phones does not necessarily reduce accidents. The New York Times ran a series of articles on this topic last summer. Federal research shows that the conversation itself is the distraction to the driver, not the holding of the cell phone. Regardless, Oregon has made an important first step to addressing the problem caused by distracted drivers.
Posted by Travis Mayor
on February 6, 2010 at 01:45 PM
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