As reported in both the January 21, 2011 and 24, 2011 edition of the Providence Journal, a Pawtucket woman and her children were injured in a car accident. The woman and her children were walking in the street because the sidewalk was covered by snow. A motorist, who was texting while driving, struck the woman and her children. The woman and two (2) of her children suffered minor injuries. The driver has been cited for driving while texting, which is a traffic violation.
Pursuant to Rhode Island General Law 31-22-30, no person shall use a wireless handset to compose, read or send text messages while operating a motor vehicle on any public street or public highway within the state of Rhode Island. The penalty for texting while driving is:
Any person who violates any of the provisions of this section shall, upon conviction, be subject to a fine of eighty-five dollars ($85.00); for a second conviction shall be subject to a fine of one hundred dollars ($100); and for a third or subsequent conviction a person shall be subject to a fine of one hundred twenty-five dollars ($125). All violations arising out of this section shall be heard in the Rhode Island Traffic Tribunal.
Texting while driving can led to more serious accidents. Last week, a Massachusetts man pled guilty to leaving the scene of an accident - death resulting and driving to endanger. The driver, who was texting while driving, struck and killed a pedestrian. He was sentenced to three (3) years in jail.
If you or a family member has been charged with texting, sexting, or other cyber crimes, please allow attorney Robert H. Humphrey's reputation, experience and skill to successfully guide you through the legal process. Please contact attorney Robert H. Humphrey, Esq., at 401-816-5862 or e-mail him at rhh@rhumphreylaw.com.