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When can the word "Hi" cause an accident?

Well, students attending the driver's education course at Gulf Coast High School in Naples, FL found out. It is when that word, or any word, is texted while driving. They recently participated in a simulated test lab where they had the opportunity to see first-hand the dangers of texting when driving.  AT&T spokeswoman, Karen McAllister, brought the simulator to the school and "urged teens to acknowledge the dangers of texting and driving." Ms. McAllister told the students, as reported in June 6, 2015 Naples Daily News, that, "It's about saving lives. Each year there are more than 200,000 accidents involving distracted driving. We want students here today to keep their eyes on the road and not on their phones for the sake of their lives and the lives of others."

NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) reports that between the years of 2008 and 2012, there were 1,766,000 injuries and 17,942 deaths from vehicle crashes involving distracted drivers.

The Florida Department of Safety reports that texting while driving is one of the biggest distractions on our roads, especially for young people, and that in the U.S., eleven teenagers are killed each day as the result of texting while driving. In just three years, 2001 to 2014, over 340 teens who were between the ages of 15 and 19 were involved in crashes in Collier County as the result of distracted driving.

What is distracted driving?

Although texting and driving ranks the highest in diverting drivers' attentions, distracted driving is any activity that could divert a person's attention away from driving which is the primary task of drivers. All distractions endanger the safety of drivers, passengers, and bystanders.  

It is very easy to see distracted drivers on our roads. We see them every day and every time we go out. Recently, we saw a woman driver who was making a left turn onto a busy roadway in Estero, while speaking on the cell phone in her right hand with a dog in her lap. Fortunately, she made the turn; however, this type of behavior is a recipe for disaster for not only the driver conducting this activity, but for those around the driver.

What efforts are being taken to reduce distracted driving?

Many state, local and independent organizations are making an effort to reduce distracted driving. Some of the efforts reported are:

• Banning commercial truck and bus drivers from texting while driving by the FMCSA (Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration) in September 2010. While in November 2011, banning all hand-held cell phone use by commercial drivers.
• State and local campaigns have reduced fatalities along major highways by increasing awareness. Fox News reported in 2014 that the three-day "Staying Alive on I-75" campaign reduced traffic fatalities in the U.S. by 15 percent overall for 2014. The states which joined forces to focus on these dangerous driving behaviors were: Florida, Georgia, Tennessee, Kentucky, Ohio and Michigan.
• In 2013 the NTSB (National Transportation Safety Board) added distracted driving to its 2013 "most-wanted list." As of now, 43 states, which includes Florida, have passed laws banning cell phone use while driving.

Safety Tips to Avoid Texting While Driving

Below are some tips to help prevent texting while driving from Digital Responsibility, a group of Silicon Valley tech employees "... who wished to share with young people the personal and public consequences of technology." They say on their website that, "Technology is part of our daily lives, but we have an obligation to use it and share it responsibly."

1. Make a habit of thinking about what calls or texts you need to send before you begin your trip. Make those calls, and then put away the phone.
2. The idea of a designated driver has caught on for drunk driving, and choosing a substitute can be just as useful for distracted driving.
3. Stow your phone somewhere you can’t peek at it.
4. Silence notifications that tempt you to check your phone.
5. Investigate apps that will help boost your willpower and allow you to block incoming messages or send automatic responses to let your friends know you’re driving.
6. If you absolutely cannot wait, pull over when you can do so safely and then text.

"If you or a loved one are injured by another driver due to distracted driving, you should consult the experienced attorneys at Spivey Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.A. to determine your rights," said Attorney Randall Spivey.

Fort Myers Personal Injury Attorney, 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 just 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.