Your Referrals Make a Difference! Thanks to your 67 referrals in October, we were able to donate $840 to help fight human trafficking and lead medical missions. INTERNATIONAL JUSTICE MISSION To learn more about International Justice Mission and their mission to protect half a billion vulnerable people from exploitation, please go to IJM.org . MEDICAL MISSIONS OUTREACH To learn more about showing God’s love by providing quality medical treatment to some of the poorest people in the world, visit the Medical Missions Outreach home page at Medical-Outreach.com .
The hazards of using a smartphone while driving are widely known. Don’t make calls. Don’t text. Hang up and drive! The warnings are everywhere, including on bumper stickers. The Danger of Using Your Smartwatch Behind the Wheel Swipe, Tap, Ticket
In contrast, glancing at your sleek, stylish smartwatch while your car is idling at a stoplight seems innocent and unobtrusive enough … isn’t it?
Not necessarily. The law can be broadly interpreted regarding how you communicate with others on your watch. And if you use your other hand to hold the watch on your wrist steady while you swipe? Then you can face charges even for changing your music or doing something other than communicating on your watch. Smartwatches may be especially seductive because they do so many things while remaining inconspicuous. It’s so easy to just check how many steps you’ve taken today, revisit a navigation app, glance at a text or social media alert, or tap a song or podcast while sitting at a red light. But if your motor is running and an officer spots you swiping or tapping to connect a call, or texting, the officer may consider it a violation of Vehicle Code 23123(a) or VC 23123.5, dependent on the manner of the swipe and the activity. The stakes for this kind of ticket are high. A conviction or admission of guilt for a first offense can bring a $162 fine and send your insurance rates higher. A guilty finding on a second offense can lead to a $270 fine and points on your license, plus a much sharper increase in your insurance premiums. However, just because a law enforcement officer writes you a ticket doesn’t mean you have violated the law. While judges tend to side with police officers in court, having an experienced lawyer by your side, fighting the citation, can sharply improve your odds of dismissal or a reduced penalty. Our skilled attorneys have ample experience fighting citations like these based on weaknesses in the state’s case, including vague evidence, erroneous or unclear accusations, or technical errors. If you face a citation for distracted driving, contact us for a free consultation today! We will be glad to help defend your rights.
“Praise the LORD our God; worship before his throne! Holy is he!” PSALM 99:5 (GNT)
(661) 859-1177 | 3
Made with FlippingBook Ebook Creator