Can you use your cellphone in a school zone?
USE OF CELL PHONES IN A SCHOOL ZONE
Talking and driving is distracting as it frequently takes the driver’s attention off his/her driving duties. Distracted drivers cause preventable injury every 78 seconds according to the National Highway Traffic Administration (NHTA). Many types of signs warn motorists when they are approaching a school zone.
A violation of this traffic safety law is a moving violation. The first violation is punishable by a fine of not more than $500. Each subsequent violation is punishable by a fine of not more than one $1,000 and a suspension of a driver’s license for a sixty-day period. If the person is involved in a collision at the time of the violation, the fine shall be equal to double the amount of the standard fine imposed and the investigation police officer shall include that in his official Traffic Crash Report.
Back to school means that vehicles and pedestrians are sharing the road again after several months of summer break. School zones, which have been empty for the summer months, are now busy with children, school buses, and pedestrians. Pedestrians and drivers must be aware of their surroundings as they share the road.
The bulk of responsibility lies with drivers of vehicles in school zones. The burden is on motorists to ensure they operate their vehicles in a law-abiding and safe manner. Drivers need to be aware that the responsibility in school zones lies with them even though students and pedestrians may engage in reckless behaviors. Drivers need to be prepared for any situation, including stopping for school buses.
You May Need A Lawyer To Recover Your Damages
Under Louisiana law, an accident victim has one year from the date of injury to file a lawsuit or, if possible, settle the case. When this one-year period expires, the accident victim loses the right to sue the wrongdoer for both economic and non-economic damages.
We are a boutique law firm consisting of Richard Kennedy and Richard Kennedy III. Is this important to you? You bet. Why? Because you will know who is representing you, we will keep you timely informed about your case and all the information that you need for us to do our very best to get justice for you. We answer our clients’ calls and promptly answer their emails. The bottom line is simple: we and our clients work as a team and get to know each other on a personal — not just a professional — level. That is critical in building trust. So, if you need a lawyer, call us at (337) 232-1934 to get started.