Headphones and Driving

As technology finds itself a more integral part of daily life, the law has not entirely adapted to the rapidly changing world, especially on the road. In the state of Wisconsin, driving while listening to headphones, for example, is not illegal in its own right, despite posing a potentially serious safety hazard. Instead, Wisconsin law enforcement officers are allowed to pull a driver over for inattentive driving. However, this charge is not necessarily enough to dissuade many drivers from continuing to use their headphones while driving, making it more difficult to hear changes on their roadway or within their own car.

If you have been injured by someone who was not paying attention to the road, you may be eligible to receive compensation. Contact the Wausau car accident lawyers of Habush Habush & Rottier, S.C., by calling 800-242-2874 to discuss your legal options today.

Dangers of Headphone Use

While listening to the radio at an appropriate volume can provide a relaxing environment for a driver, headphones remove the safe boundaries of distance, and nearly remove a driver’s ability to hear anything but their music. Some of the important sounds the road can provide include the following:

• Mechanical errors, failures, or other warning signals
• Emergency vehicles
• Car horns and other warning devices
• Pedestrian noises or off-road warnings

These signals can prove to be invaluable while driving, at once making the roadways safer for drivers, pedestrians, and emergency workers. However, using headphones brings volume within a direct proximity to a person’s ears, eliminating much of the wearer’s ability to hear the outside world.

Contact Us

When a car accident affects you or someone you love, an experienced legal professional can guide you through the process of filing a personal injury suit. Contact the Wausau car accident attorneys of Habush Habush & Rottier, S.C., at 800-242-2874 for more information.