New laws good news for those hurt in Maryland auto accidents

Three new traffic laws that went into effect Oct. 1 will hopefully decrease the number of Frederick accidents:

Loophole tightened on texting

Driving distractions cause hundreds of Maryland auto accidents each year. Topping the list of distractions is - you guessed it - cell phone use.

Hands-free devices have cut down on the dangers of using cellular phones in the car, but Maryland authorities still cite texting as a serious problem, despite the state's no texting law.

Law enforcement officials have attributed the issue in part to the fact that texting has been considered a secondary offense. In other words, a cop could only cite a person for texting if they had already pulled over the driver for another offense.

That little loophole quietly disappeared Oct. 1. Now, a police officer may stop a driver solely for texting. A driver caught texting could pay $70 and receive a point against their license. If their actions while texting caused an accident, the fine and points are increased.

Pedestrian fatality now a crime

A driver who hits a pedestrian or bicyclist, causing a fatal accident, can now be prosecuted as a criminal. This law is in response to complaints that drivers whose negligence caused a death were too often let off with just a fine under the civil court system.

Now, prosecutors need only prove that the driver acted in a "criminally negligent manner" to obtain a much more severe sentence against the driver.

Repeat drunk drivers monitored

Starting this month, repeat drunk drivers must now have a mandatory ignition interlock device installed in their vehicles to prevent future incidents. The devices consist of a breathalyzer attached to the vehicle's ignition.

The new law mostly pertains to those who have a previous conviction of drunk driving. However, minors caught driving with a blood alcohol level of .02 and anyone convicted of driving with a blood alcohol level of .15 must also use the device, regardless of whether it's their first conviction or a repeat offense.

The Frederick accident attorneys at Nickelsporn & Lundin hope these new laws will make drivers a little more cautious on the road, as well as provide more legal avenues for victims of Maryland auto accidents to pursue.