In New Jersey, drivers are prohibited from using their cell phones while driving, i.e., talking on the phone while driving and texting while driving. Title 39 of New Jersey Traffic Laws Section 39:4-97.3, also known as the NJ Cell Phone Law, provides:
39:4-97.3(1)(a) The use of a wireless telephone or electronic communication device by an operator of a moving motor vehicle on a public road or highway shall be unlawful except when the telephone is a hands-free wireless telephone or the electronic communication device is used hands-free, provided that its placement does not interfere with the operation of federally required safety equipment and the operator exercises a high degree of caution in the operation of the motor vehicle. For the purposes of this section, an “electronic communication device” shall not include an amateur radio.
The Statute defines use of wireless telephone of electronic communication under section 39:4-97.3(2) as the following:
“Use” of a wireless telephone or electronic communication device shall include, but not be limited to, talking or listening to another person on the telephone, text messaging, or sending an electronic message via the wireless telephone or electronic communication device.
Despite the cell phone law that bans New Jersey drivers from talking or texting on their cell phones while driving, drivers continue to do so and cause serious, and sometimes fatal, car, bus or truck accidents.
Just last month in West New York, New Jersey, an 8 month old baby girl was tragically killed by a jitney bus because the driver was using his cell phone. The bus jumped a curb and struck a lamppost which sent the pole crashing onto the stroller the baby was in. The bus also struck a tree and four parked cars. Seven other innocent victims were injured and sent to local hospitals. The driver was charged with death by auto, reckless driving and using a cell phone while operating a motor vehicle as a result. This accident has caused local and state officials to discuss toughening jitney bus regulations to promote passenger and public safety. *Source: www.nj.com (Driver charged after baby is killed when bus slams into lamppost in West New York)
Distracted driving, whether it is talking or texting on the phone, eating, or using the GPS, causes serious car, bus and truck accidents in New Jersey. Distracted driving accidents are preventable. No text or phone call is worth an innocent life.
Suggested Reading: New Jersey Car Truck Accidents – What Can You Recover?
New Jersey Car and Truck Accident Lawyer with Over 35 Years of Experience. Free Consultations
If you were injured in a New Jersey car accident caused by a driver talking or texting on the phone, feel free to contact Phil T. Ciprietti, Esquire for a free initial consultation. Mr. Ciprietti places the interests of his clients first in all matters. He is an experienced personal injury lawyer who has helped many injured car and truck accident victims in New Jersey. 800.281.8695
In addition to helping residents of New Jersey in all types of accident cases, Mr. Ciprietti also represents residents of other states such as Pennsylvania, New York, Maryland, and Virginia who are injured in car, truck or bus accidents while driving on New Jersey roadways such as, the NJ Turnpike, AC Expressway, Interstate 295 or the Garden State Parkway.
*Disclaimer: Every case is unique and you should not take any action or make decisions in your case without speaking to a qualified car and truck accident lawyer in New Jersey. This website page does not provide legal advice or create an attorney-client relationship. Use of the contact form on this website or emailing Mr. Ciprietti does not create any attorney-client relationship. In addition, confidential information should not be sent through the contact form.