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Road safety depends on drivers' good judgment and a reduced willingness to take risks. Research shows that unsafe driving behavior is more about the individual person than it is about what they drive. Some people are just more likely to take risks on the road.

The most recent findings from the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety’s annual survey revealed the following risky behaviors:

• 36 percent of drivers admit to running red lights.
• Nearly half of drivers report speeding.
• About 3 in 10 drivers admitted to drowsy driving.
• More than a quarter of drivers report typing or sending a text or email.
• Two out of three drivers believe that hands-free phone use is acceptable and do not believe these systems are at all distracting.

Running Red Lights

The National Coalition for Safer Roads (NCSR) estimates that 65,000 motorists, cyclists and pedestrians are injured annually by red-light runners in the United States. In 2013, Florida experienced a total of 2,424 fatal crashes on its roadways. The number of intersection, or intersection-related, fatal crashes in Florida totaled over 714. Of these fatal crashes, 298 involved a traffic signal.

Red-light running is the leading cause of urban crashes according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. Someone runs a red light an average of every 20 minutes. Red-light running is preventable and can be the result of risky aggressive driving.

Speeding

Speeding, defined as racing, exceeding the speed limit or driving too fast for conditions, results in over 30 percent of all fatal crashes in the U.S. according to SmartMotorist.com.

According to the Florida Department of Transportation, 267 people lost their lives in a speed- related accident in 2012. (The latest year available data.) Speed alone increases the likelihood and the severity of a crash.

Not only does speeding increase the stopping distance required to avoid a collision, it also reduces the amount of time drivers need to avoid collisions. This is called the "3-second rule". At higher speeds, vehicles become more difficult to maneuver. This is especially so on corners or curves or where evasive action is necessary.

Drowsy Driving

The CDC (Center for Disease Control) says that drowsiness makes drivers less attentive, slows reaction times and affects drivers' abilities to make decisions. DrowsyDriving.org provides the following list of signs that should tell a driver to stop and rest:

• Difficulty focusing, frequent blinking, or heavy eyelids
• Daydreaming; wandering/disconnected thoughts
• Trouble remembering the last few miles driven; missing exits or traffic signs
• Yawning repeatedly or rubbing your eyes
• Trouble keeping your head up
• Drifting from your lane, tailgating, or hitting a shoulder rumble strip
• Feeling restless and irritable

Distracted Driving

Federal estimates suggest that distraction is a risky behavior and contributes to 16 percent of all fatal crashes, leading to around 5,000 deaths every year. 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.

Driving and cell phone conversations both require a great deal of thought. When doing them at the same time, the brain is unable to do either well. For example, it is nearly impossible to read a book and have a phone conversation. While driving, this often results in crashes due to delayed braking times and not seeing traffic signals, according to the National Safety Council.

The International Telecommunication Union states that "texting, making calls, and other interaction with in-vehicle information and communication systems while driving is a serious source of driver distraction and increases the risk of traffic accidents."

Driving while using hands-free phones

Findings show distracted drivers may not be aware of the effects of cognitive distraction and using hands-free cell phones while they are driving. Drivers actually showed decreased performance while using hands-free phones, according to a National Safety Council white paper  Cognitive- Distraction. Distracted drivers may miss visual cues which are critical to safety and navigation which include exits, red lights, stop signs and important navigational signage.

How can we help prevent risky driving in Florida?

• Obey all traffic signals and signs
• Obey speed limits so you have time and space to stop prior to entering an intersection
• Be fully awake when operating a vehicle
• Do not call or text while operating a vehicle, even on a hands-free phone.

"If you or a loved one has been injured as a result of another driver’s risky behavior, you may be entitled to compensation," said Fort Myers Vehicle Injury Attorney, Randall Spivey of Spivey Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.A.

Fort Myers 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.