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According to statistics, over 100 people are killed and 8,500 are injured every day in the United States. Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety (Advocates), whose mission is the adoption of federal and state laws, policies, and programs that prevent motor vehicle crashes, ranked Florida as one of the worst states for highway and auto safety in the nation. This ranking was published in January in the organization’s 2019 Roadmap Report Best and Worst States.

In a press release, Advocates’ president, Cathy Chase, said, “The theme of this year’s report is ‘until the day comes when driverless cars are proven to be safe, we can save countless lives by taking action now on verified technology and comprehensive laws.’ While we are optimistic that automated systems, or ‘driverless’ vehicles, may have the potential to reduce, or even eliminate, crashes in the future, that utopic vision is still likely decades away. If we don’t change the status quo until driverless cars are ubiquitous, motor vehicle crashes will kill hundreds of thousands of people, injure millions more and cost our society billions of dollars. We know what to do. Enact strong laws and deploy proven technology. This combination will bring about meaningful change. It’s time for state and federal lawmakers to prioritize safety.”

The worst states in the report received a red rating, which indicates they are dangerously behind in the adoption of optimal laws. According to Advocates, Florida is missing the following:

• Rear primary enforcement seatbelt law
• All-rider motorcycle helmet law
• Rear-facing child seat law through age 2
• Booster seat law
• Minimum age of 16 for learner’s permit
• Nighttime and passenger restrictions for new drivers
• Age 18 for unrestricted license for teen drivers
• Ignition interlocks for all offenders
• All-driver text messaging restriction
• GDL cell phone restriction

Naples Personal Injury Attorney Randall Spivey of Spivey Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.A. said, “Currently, the Florida legislature is considering a bill which will ban the use of hand-held phones while driving. On January 30, we posted a blog on this legislation: Hand-Held Phones. We are unaware of other legislation covering the above Advocates’ considered shortfall in Florida legislation. We do consider the advocating of safety in preventing motor vehicle accidents an important mission and also encourage lawmakers to make safety a priority.”

Naples Personal Injury Attorney,Randall L. Spivey is a Board Certified Trial Attorney – the highest recognition for competence bestowed by the Florida Bar and a distinction earned by just one (1%) percent of Florida attorneys.  He has handled over 2,000 personal injury and wrongful death cases throughout Florida.  For a free and confidential consultation to discuss your legal rights, contact the Spivey Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.A., in Lee County at 239.337.7483 or toll free at 1.888.477.4839,or by email to Randall@SpiveyLaw.com.  Visit SpiveyLaw.com for more information.  You can contact Spivey Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.A.in Charlotte County at 941.764.7748 and in Collier County 239.793.7748.