A popular social issue that has personal accountability implications is texting while driving. Research has found that 87% of Americans own a cell phone. There were about 110 billion text messages being sent throughout the year of 2008 on cell phones.
There have been new state laws that vary through the United States relating to texting while driving. At the moment there are seven states that banned the handheld phone while driving, and 18 states that banned texting to all drivers. Also 21 states have prohibited school bus drivers to use their cell phones while they are at work. The cost for texting while driving can be as low as $20 and as high as $500 per ticket for first-time offenders. Presently there are only state and local governments that have passed the laws of texting while driving but no federal order against it.
If an individual is texting while driving in their own personal car and time, their private automobile insurance would cover it if involved in an accident. However, if you are texting while driving while being in a work car and during business hours this might lead to business and personal exposures for you and your employer. This is essentially true if there are commanded state laws that forbid the use of text messaging while driving.
If you cause any harm or death while texting and driving some states will fine up to $10,000 or give a punishment of 15 years in jail. Currently there are abundant software programs that will automatically text the caller and let them know that you will return the call as soon as the destination is reached.
R. Glenn Matsen, MBA, CPCU, ARM, CLU, ChFC, has over 30 years experience in providing commercial general liability insurance for small business clients. He offers commercial insurance quotes starting at $425 and will provide a technology insurance quote to prospective clients within minutes.
Article Source: Texting While Driving Liability
