What You Need to Know About SnapChat and Driving
Any car accident lawyer Greenbelt MD residents trust may tell you that the number of distractions that today’s drivers face increases each year. As if texting and driving weren’t enough, now there are drivers who use SnapChat while driving. SnapChat is one of the latest social media applications, which allows users to send pictures and short videos to friends. A Greenbelt MD car accident lawyer may be able to tell you how SnapChat is influencing drivers in your area, but no matter what, it’s something you should be aware of.
What Does the Law Say?
Unfortunately, not every state has laws against various forms of distracted driving. Only fourteen states actually prohibit using a cell phone while driving, and even in those cases, the officer may have to stop you for a separate traffic offense, and then cite you for the cell phone component. Still, any car accident lawyer Greenbelt MD has to offer may tell you that it’s better to not take the risk, no matter what your state laws dictate.
Safety Feature Turned Dangerous
Initially, displaying the miles per hour (mph) was a beneficial feature of SnapChat. The app allows you to view the speed the person is traveling when the picture was snapped. Unfortunately, many teenagers view this feature as an enticement to travel at high speeds and show the pictures to their friends.
Your car accident lawyer Greenbelt MD residents turn to may tell you that the SnapChat app is a danger to all drivers. However, new drivers are especially at risk, due to inexperience, and a greater propensity for using social media apps.
The Real Data
Out of drivers in their twenties, approximately 27% are involved in fatal auto accidents. Since SnapChat is widely available and new enough that there isn’t a vocal community speaking against its dangers, teenagers and young drivers may be less aware of the risks.
A car accident lawyer Greenbelt MD trusts may be able to give you many examples of SnapChat causing accidents. In one known case, a driver was travelling at 107 mph when she snapped a picture using the speed filter. As a result, she crashed into another vehicle, causing the other driver to be hospitalized for several months.
This New Fad is Dangerous
Snapchat is a new fad that is more than just a social media application. It used for a dangerous game that can lead to reckless driving and fatal accidents. A car accident lawyer in Greenbelt MD may warn you that the best thing you can do when you get behind the wheel is to put everything away and pay attention. No social media application or text is worth risking your life or the lives of others.
If you have been injured in a car accident and believe distracted driving may have been a factor, you have the right to consult an attorney. To speak with a car accident lawyer Greenbelt MD residents trust to represent them, call (301) 842-4819 today.
