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State and local law enforcement campaigns to increase awareness have resulted in reduced fatalities and injuries along major highways because of distracted driving.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), between 2008 and 2012, there were 1,766,000 injuries and 17,942 deaths from vehicle crashes involving distracted drivers. The NHTSA is leading the fight to end distracted driving through a combination of tough laws, strong enforcement, and increased public awareness.

During a three day “Staying Alive on I-75”campaign, state and local law enforcement agencies, along the six-state I-75 corridor, teamed up to reduce traffic fatalities in the United States by 15 percent overall in 2014. Participating in the campaign were Florida, Georgia, Tennessee, Kentucky, Ohio, and Michigan who joined forces to focus on dangerous driving behaviors and promote safety.

According to the National Safety Council (NSC), 25% of all traffic accidents are caused by distracted driving, specifically cell phone use while driving. However, distracted driving is any activity that could divert a person's attention away from the primary task of driving. All distractions endanger driver, passenger, and bystander safety. These types of driver distractions include:

• Using a cell phone or smartphone to talk or text
• Eating and drinking
• Talking to passengers
• Grooming
• Reading, including maps
• Using a navigation system
• Watching a video
• Adjusting a radio, CD player, or MP3 player

In 2009, President Obama signed an executive order directing federal employees to not send text messages while driving government vehicles, or while driving privately-owned vehicles when conducting government business.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) banned commercial truck and bus drivers from texting while driving in September 2010, and later banned all hand-held cell phone use by commercial drivers in November 2011.

"Although the numbers are down, we at Spivey Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.A. are fully aware of the fact that distracted driving accidents are preventable.  We have personally seen the devastation caused by distracted driving, and join those who are working on the very worthwhile endeavor of reducing and eliminating distracted driving," says Lee County Vehicle Accident Attorney, Randall Spivey.

Lee County  Vehicle Accident 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.