While texting and driving are not illegal in the state of Florida, and the police cannot pull a driver for doing so, it seems this law may be changing soon. A bill was recently introduced to the House of Representatives in an attempt to make texting and driving a primary offense. If the law passes, mobile phone use may be limited, which will help eliminate the common distraction and avoid many accidents that occur in the state of Florida, ranked as a second in the country for having so many distracted drivers. Texting while driving is currently a primary offense in 43 states, Florida not included.
Efforts to reduce texting and driving in South Florida are currently extending to people riding bicycles, skateboards, and mopeds. A resolution was approved by county commissioners to supplement “Put It Down,” a campaign used to educate teenagers on the dangers of mobile device use and driving. There is also a similar campaign called “Heads Up, Miami!” that targets distracted driving, including pedestrians and cyclists. Unfortunately, Miami drivers aged 16 to 24 are more at risk of injury caused by distracted driving. Yet distracted driving is affecting everyone notwithstanding the age.
Florida had banned texting while driving back in 2013 but drivers must commit other traffic violations before the police can stop them. Bills that make distracted driving a primary offense in the state of Florida have not been passed yet. In contrast, smartphone use for directions and other location-based recommendations have increased to 90% nationwide since 2015. Distracted driving causes over 50,000 accidents a year with more than 200 wrongful deaths and 4000 personal injuries reported. Some state officials agree these statistics are quite low since a lot of people don’t admit they were on the phone at the time of the accident.
Car technology is a good thing, and it makes you feel safer, but it can also be distracting. Certain in-car tech features may not work as they should, and the driver may not be fully engaged with their driving tasks. Some drivers have deactivated these features so they can focus more on the road. The truth is that many people pick up the phone because they are bored. We are the generation of multitaskers, and we think we rule the world, but we don’t. Sometimes is better to focus on what matters and needs our immediate or full attention. It makes life more enjoyable and productive in the long run.
When you are involved in an accident caused by a distracted driver, you want the best compensation for your injuries. A Miami personal injury lawyer can help you calculate your losses and determine whether or not you are entitled to receive compensation. Attorneys are familiar with personal injury laws and understand how they may apply to your specific situation. At Gallardo Law Firm we handle a variety of personal injury cases stemming from distracted driving. So call us now, and we will take it from there.
