Being stuck in bumper-to-bumper traffic can wreck havoc on your schedule. What makes matters worse is that you have no way of knowing how much longer it will take you to reach your destination, until now. Maryland’s State Highway Administration (SHA) has launched a free phone system that provides drivers with travel information.
The System
Maryland drivers who want to make sure the way is clear before hitting the road to go to work, go home, or take a trip can call 5-1-1, designated by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), to find out if there are road repairs, auto accidents, or other obstacles that may disrupt their commute. This new system also includes a website where users can setup a profile and create personalized travel plans.
A Warning
The acting SHA Administrator is encouraging Maryland residents to take advantage of this beneficial system, but also gives a warning. Using a handheld cell phone and texting while driving are both banned in Maryland. Drivers who wish to check the road forecast are expected to do so before leaving or after stopping at a safe location. Distracted driving is very dangerous, even in slower moving traffic.
Distracted Driving Statistics
According to the SHA, 34 people were killed and another 11,578 were injured in Maryland distracted driving accidents in 2008. Of the total 24,769 crashes that year, 32 percent involved rear-end collisions, which, even at low speeds, can cause serious back and/or neck trauma.
A Driver’s Responsibility
Each and every person is required to obey all traffic laws and practice safe driving once they get behind the wheel. The state is trying to make travel less stressful for Maryland residents, but the new information system does not give drivers permission to be inattentive. As an experienced traffic accident attorney in Maryland, Steven H. Heisler, “The Injury Lawyer,” has handled many types of auto accident cases, including intersection accidents, hazardous roadway accidents, and distracted driving accidents.
If you have been injured in a car crash as the result of another’s negligence, Mr. Heisler can help you pursue fair compensation for the losses you’ve suffered. Call today for a consultation at 877-228-4878. You may also follow him on his MD Injury Law Twitter account for valuable information and topics of interest.
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