Yup! Sadly there is.
The latest craze, particularly among young drivers, is “Vining” and driving.
What you ask is “Vining”? Vine is a social media platform (think Facebook and Twitter – in fact, Vine is owned by Twitter) that loads easily into a cell phone and allows people to share short video clips with followers and the world. It was one of the most popular cell phone applications of 2013. “Vining” is the act of taking a video and sending it using this application.
The problem… drivers, particularly young drivers, are using Vine to record personal video messages while they drive.
And you thought texting causes lots of car accidents!
So just think about it… drivers are now using their cell phones to videotape themselves while they are in the act of driving. To do that, drivers have to divert their eyes from the road ahead and the mirrors surrounding them so that they can focus on getting the camera angles “right” or fixing their hat or their hair so they look “good”. It requires that they shift their focus from traffic and road conditions to the speech they think their friends will find funny or thought-provoking. What’s more – Vine users have to hold their finger on the record button to make these videos. All while driving. And then they watch what they recorded before sending it!!! Again while driving!
Amazing – right? Amazingly dangerous…. Just how many people will die or be seriously injured in car accidents across Connecticut as a direct result of this foolish craze?
Some solace is in order. Despite the rising popularity of this practice – it is absolutely illegal in Connecticut and currently 11 states to use handheld cellphones while driving, and 41 states forbid texting while driving.
So what can you do?
- First – serve as an example to those around you and never operate a handheld cellphone for any reason while driving.
- If you have children, grandchildren or nieces and nephews who own an iPhone or Droid – talk to them about the dangers of cell phone use while driving. Remind them that using a cell phone while driving can cause very serious car accidents – accidents that end lives. And tell them the act is illegal and could result in large fines and/or loss of license.
- Finally, encourage your friends and colleagues to talk to those in their lives about this dangerous practice too.
If you are ever injured in a car accident you suspect was tied to cell phone use, know that the Connecticut car accident lawyers at RisCassi & Davis have been assisting drivers injured in accidents for almost 60 years. And we have received both state and national recognition for our work in this area. If you are ever in a car accident of any kind and would like a free consultation with one of our Connecticut car accident lawyers, please contact us. There is no obligation.