Distracted Driving Has Consequences
In the 21st century many of us are so used to multi-talking that we think we are invincible when it comes to doing multiple tasks in addition to driving. And although people get away with eating, texting, and other activities some of the time, the fact of the matter is that all too often the consequences of distracted driving are painfully real.
Effects of Distracted Driving
There are plenty of people who didn’t’ get away with it: distracted driving was a key factor in roughly 300 deaths on Florida roadways in 2020 alone. Nearly 50,000 accidents were the result of distracted driving; that’s over 900 crashes every single week. While some of these resulted in only property damage, many sent people to emergency rooms across the state. Unfortunately, the victims of distracted driving accidents often include innocent individuals who simply happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time as a distracted driver careened into disaster. In fact, 20 percent of distracted-driving fatalities are not in vehicles at all. They were simply riding a bike, walking, or jogging when a distracted driver put an end to their lives;.
What Constitutes Distracted Driving?
According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) anything that takes your focus from driving is a distraction, and could ultimately result in an accident. The campaigns advising drivers to avoid texting or talking on the phone are well-publicized, but there are plenty of other distractions that get in the way of safety on the road. That includes all kinds of things you may not normally think of as distractions:
- Taking a picture;
- Searching for an address;
- Programming your GPS;
- Looking at scenery;
- Disciplining your kids or pets;
- Eating and drinking;
- Goofing off with friends;
- Changing the radio station.
Florida Law
In Florida it is unlawful to manually enter multiple numbers or letters into a wireless device while driving. That means no dialing, texting, emailing and so forth. Unfortunately, the law is not enforced consistently, and does not go far enough. In an attempt to mitigate the problem of cell phone use on the road, the state created 64 “Safe Phone Zones” where drivers can pull over to make a call. The success of these areas is dubious.
The Aftermath of an Accident
If you or a loved one has been seriously injured or killed due to a distracted driver, you may be experiencing a wave of fury over that driver’s negligence and stupidity. But fury won’t get you very far. So turn that anger into action: call on the experienced Kissimmee distracted driving accident attorneys at Salazar & Kelly Law Group, P.A. We will fight for justice on your behalf, attempting to obtain the best settlement possible to address your physical, emotional and mental pain. Schedule a confidential consultation in our office today.
Resource:
villages-news.com/2021/04/03/distracted-driving-caused-more-than-48000-accidents-last-year-in-florida/
