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According to statistics collected from Department of Motor Vehicles and law enforcement agencies throughout the United States, distracted driving is one of the leading causes of motor vehicle crashes. Florida is no exception. Some estimates for Florida suggest that more than 25% of the crashes here may, in part, relate to distracted drivers. 

The first Distracted Driving Summit in Florida held in Tampa on November 13, 2012 was an opportunity for a Collier County mother to tell attendees about the loss of her pregnant daughter in 2010 after being struck by a distracted driver. Her message was directed to Florida lawmakers to urge them to pass a distracted driving law as 39 other states have done.

Attorney Randall Spivey, Spivey Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.A. said,  "The law is needed, and I hope Florida will pass such a law quickly as distracted drivers now cause up to 20 times more crashes than substance abusers."

The American Automobile Association Foundation for Traffic Safety reports studies show that drivers spend more than half their time behind the wheel being distracted, and this causes, nationally, up to 8,000 crashes per day.  Here is a link to a report from the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety which provides a good checklist of distracted behavior to avoid when behind the wheel.

Also, the Governors Highway Safety Administration [GHSA]  has the following 10 suggestions for all drivers for managing some of the most common distractions:

1. Turn it off. Turn your phone off or switch to silent mode before you get in the car.
2. Spread the word. Set up a special message to tell callers that you are driving, and you’ll get back to them as soon as possible, or sign up for a service that offers this.
3. Pull over. If you need to make a call, pull over to a safe area first.
4. Use your passengers. Ask a passenger to make the call for you.
5. X the Text. Don’t ever text and drive, surf the web or read your email while driving. It is dangerous and against the law in most states.  
6. Know the law. Familiarize yourself with state and local laws before you get in the car. Some states and localities prohibit the use of hand held cell phones. GHSA offers a handy chart of state laws on its website: www.ghsa.org/html/stateinfo/laws/cellphone_laws.html. 
7. Prepare. Review maps and directions before you start to drive. If you need help when you are on the road, ask a passenger to help or pull over to a safe location to review the map/directions again.
8. Secure your pets. Pets can be a big distraction in the car. Always secure your pets properly before you start to drive. 
9. Keep the kids safe. Pull over to a safe location to address situations with your children in the car.
10. Focus on the task at hand.  Refrain from smoking, eating, drinking, reading and any other activity that takes your mind and eyes off the road.

If  you, a loved one, or someone you know has been in a vehicle accident, please contact us at the Spivey Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.A. specializing in personal injury and wrongful death.

Randall L. Spivey is a Board Certified Civil Trial Attorney – the highest recognition for competence bestowed by the Florida Bar and a distinction earned by less than 2 percent of Florida attorneys. He has handled over 1,500 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 at 239.793.7748.