David Resnick Urges NHTSA To Continue Fight Against Distracted Driving

Urges NHTSA to Continue Fight Against Distracted Driving After DOT Secretary Steps Down

David Resnick, a personal injury lawyer with David Resnick & Associates, P.C., marks the departure of U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood and hails accomplishments during tenure noted for increased awareness of distracted driving’s threat to highway safety.

New York, N.Y. – New York City car accident lawyer David Resnick today offered congratulations to Ray LaHood on his tenure as U.S. Transportation Secretary and said his law firm supports the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s pledge to keep up LaHood’s fight against distracted driving.

LaHood, who was appointed at the start of President Barack Obama’s first term, announced January 29 that he will step down once a successor is chosen and confirmed.

“Secretary LaHood’s tenure as Transportation Secretary will be remembered for his efforts to increase awareness about distracted driving and reverse the trend of engaging in this dangerous practice,” said Resnick of David Resnick & Associates, P.C., a New York City law firm that represents individuals who have suffered personal injuries in car crashes.

“As Secretary LaHood takes his leave, we are pleased to hear from NHTSA Director David Strickland that efforts against distracted driving will continue and are soon to bear more significant results,” Resnick said.

Strickland told reporters in a recent speech that NHTSA is “very, very close” to finalizing voluntary in-vehicle guidelines to help automakers prevent distracted driving, the Detroit News reported.

NHTSA guidelines for use of in-vehicle electronic devices “would limit device operation to one hand, leaving the other hand to remain on the steering wheel; limit to two seconds the time needed to look away from the road to operate devices; limit unnecessary visual information in the driver’s field of view; and limit manual inputs required for device operation, among other proposals,” the newspaper said.

The proposed distracted driving guidelines, first offered in February 2012, would also recommend that electronic devices installed in vehicles not allow such activities as text messaging, Internet or social media browsing, or 10-digit phone dialing while the car is moving.

Resnick said distracted driving came to the forefront of traffic safety issues during LaHood’s tenure. LaHood and NHTSA raised awareness through efforts such as a comprehensive website at www.distraction.gov and televised public service announcements.

Today, 39 states, the District of Columbia and the territory of Guam ban texting while driving for all drivers, according to NHTSA. Ten states, the District of Columbia and the Virgin Islands prohibit all use of handheld cellphones while driving. New York is among the states that ban both texting and the use of handheld cellphones while driving.

“There are still too many distracted driving accidents here in the New York City area and across the country,” Resnick said, “but the trend has changed as awareness has risen and laws have been enacted.”

Resnick urged NHTSA to increase its efforts and said his firm will do its part.

“As a personal injury law firm serving the greater New York City and Manhattan area, we work to hold drivers accountable for the harm they cause in distracted driving car accidents that injure or kill innocent passengers, pedestrians and other drivers,” Resnick said.

“If you’ve been hurt in an accident caused by texting while driving or similar recklessness, an experienced car accident lawyer like ours at David Resnick & Associates, P.C., can help you obtain compensation for your losses, while sending a message that the people of this country won’t stand for distracted driving,” the veteran attorney said.

About David Resnick & Associates, P.C.

David Resnick & Associates, P.C., provides professional and compassionate legal assistance to victims of injury and negligence. Founded in 1998, the firm is experienced at handling many types of injury and negligence cases in New York City, including motor vehicle accidents, hit-and-run accidents, bicycle accidents, pedestrian injuries, trips and falls, construction accidents, premises liability and other kinds of personal injury and wrongful death claims. David Resnick & Associates, P.C., serves clients in Manhattan, Queens, Brooklyn, Staten Island, the Bronx and all of New York City. The firm’s office is located 450 7th Avenue, Suite 409, New York, NY 10123. Mr. Resnick can be reached at 212-279-2000 or our online contact form.