Using a GPS (global positioning system) while driving may seem somewhat innocuous, but a recent New Jersey vehicle accident emphasizes that the use of navigational devices while driving can be dangerous and result in serious consequences.
According to The Star-Ledger, a Sussex County woman has been sentenced to three years’ probation for causing a head-on car accident while she tried to enter an address into her vehicle’s GPS. The 40-year-old woman is required to participate in 100 hours of community service and her driver’s license has been revoked for 90 days.
The crash reportedly took place on November 3, 2009 when the woman crossed over the center line on Route 23 in Franklin, New Jersey. As a result, the woman’s car crashed into another vehicle whose driver suffered a broken leg and ribs. The woman who caused the accident suffered minor injuries. She pleaded guilty to fourth-degree assault by auto and reckless driving.
According to data provided by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 5,474 people lost their lives in 2009 throughout the United States and an estimated additional 448,000 people were injured in motor vehicle accidents that involved distracted driving. While many drivers associate cell phone use with distracted driving, not enough drivers realize the potential risks for an accident also occurring when other electronic devices, including GPSs, are used. The NHTSA considers a “distraction” as any particular form of inattention that takes place when motorists’ attention is taken away from the driving tasks to focus on another activity. Distraction is also considered a subset of inattention, which also includes fatigue as well as other physical and emotional conditions of the motorist.
The car accident lawyers in New Jersey at Blume Forte have decades of experience in successfully handling motor vehicle accident claims on behalf of our clients. Our attorneys will evaluate your particular situation to determine whether or not a valid claim can be pursued. Call us at 973-845-4421 for a no-cost consultation.