DANGEROUS BUT NOT ILLEGAL DRIVING WITH HEADPHONES
Ever since cellphones and smartphones became commonplace in the American home, texting while driving has become one of the most dangerous activities performed behind a wheel. As wireless earbuds have become more mainstream, an increasing number of people are wearing them while driving. While this practice is not necessarily illegal in the state of Alabama, it is extremely dangerous and distracting. Just because it’s legal does not mean you should do it. No single driver drives with their eyes alone; all senses are involved. If you have headphones on or earbuds in, you may not hear the ambulance that is driving behind you with their sirens blaring. You may also not hear the car honking its horn as they run through a red light. Both of these situations can have deadly outcomes. Though there are no laws strictly prohibiting the use of headphones, this does not mean that a driver wearing headphones is protected from other tickets. If an officer decides you are distracted while driving, they can pull you over and issue a citation for distracted driving. A driver wearing headphones only further validates their case. These fines are relatively low, starting at $25, but they show up on your driving record. This means insurance rates could increase.
There’s also the danger of auto accidents. If you’re involved in an accident and are wearing headphones, the other driver could claim that you were distracted while driving. This could reduce any compensation you may receive and additionally put the blame on you. Being involved in an accident, especially
one that causes injury, is the last thing anyone wants to happen. Wearing headphones can only make the situation worse for everyone involved.
Other states in America have gone the extra step already and made driving while wearing headphones illegal. If you’re traveling to Georgia or Florida, headphones are only permitted in one ear, if taking a call. Louisiana, Virginia, California, and a few other states have made the jump and banned the use of headphones while operating a vehicle.
If you were involved in an accident with a distracted driver, Shuttlesworth Law Firm can help you.
FACTOID STRANGE
October Used to be the 8th Month of the Year?
If octopuses have eight limbs and octagons have eight sides, why is October not the eighth month of the year? The simple answer? It used to be. The Gregorian calendar is the most widely used calendar today, but it has only existed since 1582. Well over 2,000 years prior, people were using the Roman calendar, which was based on lunar cycles rather than solar cycles. The Roman calendar began in March; September through December were months seven through 10, which accurately reflected their prefixes. The Roman calendar reigned supreme for almost 700 years before it was replaced by the Julian calendar, which added January and February while moving the beginning of the year back two months, to January. This changed October from the eighth month to the 10th, where it has remained ever since.
October 2021 10 8
TAKE A BREAK
(205) 322-1411 • 3
Made with FlippingBook. PDF to flipbook with ease