Speeding is one of the more dangerous driving infractions because it’s more likely to end up in a car crash. That’s why traffic enforcers always use radar guns. These devices can accurately measure your car’s speed, and the police can bust you if you’re over the speed limit. But with advancements in technology, new radar guns can even find out if you’re also texting while driving.
How the Technology Works
With ordinary radar guns, a sensor is used to track the frequency of the radio waves bouncing off your car. But now, radar guns like the Sniffer Sleuth II have more advanced technology that actually tracks the frequency of the waves that’s emitted by your cellphone.
This new technology can recognize the particular frequency used by your smartphone when you’re sending a text message or an email. What’s more, it’s even accurate enough to differentiate whether the driver or passenger is texting!
Of course, this is still new technology, and police departments all over the country are still debating its real world merits. Not everyone is convinced of its accuracy, and it hasn’t yet been definitively established whether the information these devices provide will be admissible in court.
In addition, civil rights activists are concerned about the real capabilities of these new radar guns. These new devices may be able to read text messages as well, and this act can be seen as an invasion of privacy.
Why Is This Capability Important?
It’s safe to say that distracted driving is proving to be even more dangerous than speeding when it comes to risky driving behavior. Cellphones and smartphones are now so statistically dangerous for driving compared to drugs and alcohol. According to the statistics, when you text and drive, you’re 6 times more likely to cause a car accident than if you drive while you’re drunk or high.
What you have to first understand is that smartphone ownership is now quite common. In 2011, only a little over ⅓ of the population (35%) owned a smartphone. By 2016, this percentage grew to more than ¾ of the population (77%). Among young adults ages 18 to 29, the ownership rate is 92%.
So it’s not surprising that using a smartphone while driving has been blamed for numerous car crashes. Experts consider it as the main factor why the number of traffic deaths rose by 7% from 2015 to 2016.
Using a phone while driving has led to 1.6 million car accidents every year, and these have resulted in almost 330,000 injuries each year. Today, 1 out of every 4 car accident in the US is caused by texting while driving.
If you’re a driver in San Diego, then you must refrain from using your smartphone while you drive. It’s just plain irresponsible. If you do get into a car accident and another driver was using their smartphone during the mishap, consult with a personal injury lawyer who specializes in car accidents. They can guide you on how you can gather evidence and also help you can get a just compensation.