Roadway safety habits can impact personal injury litigation for both defendants, plaintiffs, P.1

On behalf of Noland Law Firm, LLC posted in car accidents on Friday, February 19, 2016.

Some of the central issues in roadway safety are currently being discussed by Missouri lawmakers in connection with bills proposing to increase the state government’s role in this area. The bills specifically address the issues of texting while driving, seat belt use, and helmet use by motorcycle drivers.

While current law in Missouri prohibits texting for commercial drivers younger than the age of 22, two bills would ban the practice for all drivers. Sources did not specify what penalties would apply for violations. Another bill would address what has been pointed out as a deficiency in the state’s current seat belt law, which permits adults in the backseat of a vehicle to forego the use of a seat belt. The measure would also make seat belt laws primary offenses, meaning that officers would be able to make a stop without having witnessed any other violations. 

A third bill would ease the motorcycle helmet requirement so that qualifying riders would be permitted to not wear a helmet. Under the measure, a rider must be at least 21 years of age, have health insurance, and have been licensed for two years or completed a safety class.

So far, the debate on the bills has raised the question of whether the state should be involved in what are essentially matters of personal responsibility. It is worth pointing out that each of these bills addresses key issues not only in roadway safety, but also in personal injury litigation. In our next post, we’ll say more about this.