Distracted Driving: Ambulances and Police Cruisers?
Technology plays a huge role in the job of an ambulance driver. The driver’s ability to get valuable traffic and navigation information saves seconds, minutes—even lives.
But it also presents a huge risk: using gadgets while weaving through traffic at high speeds.
Ambulances and police cars are becoming increasingly wired. 75% of police cruisers and 30% of ambulances now have full computers on-board.
Police can now check license plate data and find information about a subject before even pulling them over. Ambulances receive detailed directions to accident scenes, and can get patient information to the hospitals before they even arrive.
However, as the “first responders” are starting to use this technology, legislators and lobbyists begin to limit the use of these gadgets for most drivers.
There have been many documented incidents of first responders causing accidents due to their technology usage.
Some departments, such as the New York Fire Department, prohibits drivers from using the on-board computers in traffic. The drivers partner may use it. But what if the partner is in the back, tending to a patient? In interviews with the New York Times, medics and EMT’s say that while they are aware of the rules, they may use their computers while driving because they simply can’t wait for some information.
However, some admit to checking things like baseball scores.
Researchers at the University of New Hampshire are developing hands-free technology for use in police cars.
While many states which ban drivers from texting or using cell phones while driving exempt emergency workers, the bans are in place for a reason.
Reckless driving can be a serious offense. If you have been charged with reckless driving, an experienced attorney can make a huge difference. Contact The Parrish Law Firm for a free initial consultation.
Related posts:
- Texting and Driving: Are Bans Effective?
- Starting July 1, 2009 – Texting While Driving is Illegal in Virginia
- Can the Police Stop Me at a Roadblock in Virginia Even if I Am Not Driving Erratically or Suspiciously?
- Virginia State Police Issue 7,016 Tickets During Operation Air, Land and Speed – March 2010 | Fredericksburg DUI Attorney
Tags: cell phone laws, cell phone use, Emergency personnel, Texting While Driving
[...] But at what point will law enforcement draw the line? The iPad is being positioned as a “tablet computer,” and most people would agree that installing a computer into a car falls under the category of distracted driving. [...]