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In October 2021, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) noted “the largest six-month increase ever recorded” in the number of traffic deaths in the United States. While this increase is likely attributable (at least in part) to COVID-19 lockdowns imposed during 2020, the data show that fatal auto accidents have been trending upward over the past decade. So why is this the case?  

Despite the increasing number of U.S. traffic deaths and a growing awareness of the dangers of risky driving behaviors, our Fort Myers car accident attorney knows that many drivers continue to make poor decisions behind the wheel. The data show that two types of risky driving behaviors, in particular, contribute to the high number of fatal auto accidents in Florida. These are: (i) distracted driving and (ii) drunk driving.

Understanding the Risks of Distracted Driving

According to the NHTSA, nearly 1 in 10 fatal auto accidents involve a distracted driver. This means that thousands of people lose their lives unnecessarily each year. Unfortunately, even though the Florida legislature enacted a driving-while-texting ban in 2019, handheld cellphone use remains prevalent on Florida’s roads, and everyday accidents happen that could—and should—have been avoided.

While handheld cellphone use is a major issue, it isn’t the only problem. Studies have shown that hands-free cellphone use can be just as dangerous and interacting with in-car technologies also presents similar risks. In addition, talking to passengers, navigating, eating and drinking, and personal grooming on the way to work are also common risky behaviors that contribute to the high number of serious and fatal distracted driving accidents each year.

Distracted driving is entirely preventable. All drivers must do is pay attention to the task at hand. Unfortunately, this proves to be too much for many individuals, especially those who are addicted to their phones. To avoid putting others’ lives in danger, drivers can take steps including:

• Putting their phones out of reach
• Making a personal promise to use their phones for emergencies only
• Avoiding multitasking while driving
• Encouraging their passengers to help them remain attentive

If you have lost a loved one in a collision involving a distracted driver, speak to a Fort Myers car accident attorney immediately to discuss your legal rights and options.

Understanding the Risks of Drunk Driving

“Every day, about 28 people in the United States die in drunk-driving crashes — that's one person every 52 minutes.” This alarming statistic from the NHTSA sheds light on the scope of the drunk driving problem in the United States. While driving under the influence (DUI) is illegal in Florida and every other state across the country, far too many people continue to decide to drink and drive.

Studies have shown that the impairing effects of alcohol consumption begin well below the typical legal limit of 0.08 percent blood alcohol concentration (BAC). For example, according to the NHTSA:

• At a 0.02 percent BAC, drivers experience “[d]ecline in visual functions (rapid tracking of a moving target) [and] decline in ability to perform two tasks at the same time (divided attention).”
• At 0.05 percent BAC, drivers experience “[r]educed coordination, reduced ability to track moving objects, difficulty steering, [and] reduced response to emergency driving situations.”

With a 0.08 percent BAC, drivers begin to experience “reduced information processing capability (e.g., signal detection, visual search) [and] impaired perception,” and at 0.015 percent, drivers suffer from “[s]ubstantial impairment in vehicle control, attention to driving task, and in necessary visual and auditory information processing.”

Similar to distracted driving deaths, drunk driving deaths are entirely preventable. There is no need—and there is no excuse—for getting drunk and then getting behind the wheel. Yet, despite the obvious risks and the available options, drunk drivers continue to kill innocent people every day.

Other Risky Driving Behaviors that Continue to Cause Unnecessary Traffic Fatalities

While distracted driving and drunk driving are among the leading causes of fatal auto accidents in Florida and throughout the United States, numerous other factors contribute to the high annual death rate on U.S. roads. This includes (but is not limited to) factors such as:

• Speeding
• Aggressive driving
• Road rage
• Inexperience
• Unfamiliarity with traffic laws

Have You Lost a Loved One? Talk to a Fort Myers Car Accident Attorney for Free

If you have lost a loved one in a fatal auto accident, we offer our sincere condolences and encourage you to contact Spivey Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.A. so that we can help. To discuss your family’s legal rights with Fort Myers car accident attorney Randall L. Spivey in confidence, please call 239-337-7483 or 888-477-4839 or request a free consultation online today.