Don't Hold Text Senders Responsible for Car Accidents, Legislator Says

This story is written by Jacklyn Corley.

Should text message senders be accountable for car accidents? A New Jersey appeals court ruling last week may make it easier for those who send a text message to be held civilly liable should the person reading it cause an accident.

The ruling applies to people who know or have reason to know that the person they are texting is driving. (Watch the video above for more detail.)

However, Assemblywoman Caroline Casagrande (R-11) believes accountability rests squarely with the driver. Casagrande will introduce legislation protecting text message senders from liability, her office announced in a release issued Wednesday.

“This legislation puts the responsibility where it belongs – in the front seat with the driver – not with the sender who can be held culpable for something beyond their control,” Casagrande said in the release.

Do you believe text message senders should be held accountable if an accident occurs? Tell us in the comments.