Recently in Distracted Driving Category

Drivers still have not learned to conquer the temptation of the text, despite research connecting it to fatal car crashes and state laws banning the dangerous practice.

A recently-released National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) study found that two in 10 drivers have sent text messages or even emails while driving, reports NPR.

The study depicts the interesting but contradictory thinking of drivers. Although the vast majority of survey respondents support laws banning texting-while-driving, many drivers still continue to text and drive, especially if they are between the ages of 21 and 24.

Richmond motorist Carl Nelson thought he found a loophole in California's "hands-free" law preventing motorists from using their cellphones while driving. Nelson argued before the First District Court of Appeal that a car is not moving when you're stopped at a red light; thus, drivers should be able to use their cellphones. Interesting theory, but the appellate court didn't buy his argument, ruling on Monday that drivers are still considered "driving" while at a stoplight, reports the San Francisco Chronicle.

Nelson was given a $103 ticket for using his phone while at a stoplight in December 2009. Appealing his citation, Nelson argued that the 2007 state distracted driving law applies only when you are in a vehicle in motion. Under the law, all drivers are prohibited from using cell phones while driving. Officers may also cite a driver for using a cell phone without any other traffic offense taking place.

While waiting for a stoplight to turn green, you hear the enticing chime from your cell phone. It may seem like just a second, but checking your text message may lead to repercussions that you and other distracted drivers will have to deal with for the rest of your lives.

In the city of Glendale, for instance, 20-year-old Ani Voskanian demonstrated the dangers of texting while driving when she was sentenced to three years of probation for gross vehicle manslaughter in August after she caused the death of an elderly pedestrian. The increased amount of distracted driving incidences in the town prompted the mayor to claim it was suffering from a "distracted driver epidemic."

If you’re one of those many drivers in L.A that has a habit of texting behind the wheel or talking on a cell phone without a hands-free device, then now would be a good time to stop. LAist reports that April is Distracted Driving Awareness Month, which means that the California Highway Patrol and Los Angeles Police Department will be cracking down on the millions of drivers that violate state laws while using their cell phones behind the wheel.

Increased enforcement on distracted driving went into effect on April 4, where authorities say that they will have zero tolerance for cell phone use and texting behind the wheel during the month of April. The purpose of Distracted Driving Awareness Month is to increase public safety and raise awareness about cell phone and texting legislation.

Which is more dangerous: drunk driving or drowsy driving? The answer isn't a no brainer.

ABC News reports that driving after not getting enough sleep can be just as dangerous as driving under the influence, according to a new AAA study. The results of the AAA study revealed that driving after staying awake for 24 hours was the same as having a blood-alcohol level of 0.10. It turns out that driving while sleepy is similar to driving under the influence.

How can texting while driving lead to a DUI charge?

Well, let's say you're driving under the influence and you decide to respond to a text message. A cop suddenly sees you in the act of texting and decides to pull you over. After the cop interrogates you and talks to you, the cop then suspects that you've consumed alcohol or other drugs and you're suddenly arrested on suspicion of a DUI. Though your driving might be perfect, talking on cell phone without using a hands-free device or texting while driving can indirectly lead to your DUI, where you'll be making that unexpected call to a Los Angeles DUI defense lawyer.

Warning: Do not watch the video below, if you're sensitive to graphic videos. The short segment shows a real-life hit and run incident that occurred on December 28 around 6:00 pm. Police have identified the victims to be ages 14 and 3. They were crossing Main Street, near 43rd street in Los Angeles.

The incident happens so quickly, that it's difficult to process what happens. Though it can be quite scary to see such a graphic hit and run collision, the video shines light on the severity of such extreme hit and run incidents, that are likely alcohol related.

You better watch out, or you might cry. You don't need to pout and here's a reason why: Metro is offering free services on Christmas Eve.

If you don't like the taste of alcohol, but love the feeling of getting a buzz, there's a new product that might catch your interest.

Russian professor Evgeny Moskalev of Saint Petersburg Technological University has developed a technique that takes alcohol and transforms it into a powder, which can then be packed into pill form. Moskalev successfully developed "dry vodka," but he says the technique can solidify any kind of alcohol, including whisky, cognac, wine and beer.

In the earlier blog post, Big Island Making Big Changes, there was discussion of how Hawaii is taking effective measures to decrease drunk driving on the roads with its Holiday Shared Ride Taxi program. The program offers bar patrons in Hawaii free taxi coupons as an alternative to driving away from establishments under the influence. Now, people in Los Angeles will be happy to know that similar measures have come into play here in the Golden State.

The program is being funded through a private organization, where many Los Angeles residents have praised the private organization for striving to take drunk drivers off the road.