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Stopping distracted driving should be a top priority in Florida. Most recent statistics provided by the Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles Department (FLHSMV) recorded approximately 48,500 distracted driving crashes in one year, tragically killing 300 people and seriously injuring 2,700.

Cell phone use is top on the list of distractions. When AAA recently surveyed drivers, 96 percent believed texting or emailing while driving is a serious or very serious threat to their safety. However, these same drivers believed they were proficient in doing so. 39 percent of those surveyed admitted that in the month before they had read a text or emailed while driving.

Statistics show that fatalities involving texting while driving comprised 9 percent of all fatal crashes in the nation. 7 percent of drivers are using cell phones (including making cell phone calls) at any given time of day.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that younger drivers report more crashes while using cell phones overall:

• 6 percent of respondents reported having been in a crash in the past year.
• 7 percent were in a near-crash.
• Men have slightly more crash or near-crash incidences than women (15 percent versus 12 percent, respectively).
• Young drivers 18 to 20 have the highest incidence of crash or near-crash experience (23 percent) compared to all other age groups, and drivers 65 and older have the lowest (8 percent).
• Young drivers report almost twice as many crashes (17 percent) as the next highest group, those 21- to 24-year-olds (9 percent), and up to four times as many crashes as the other age groups (4 percent–6 percent).

Are We Addicted to Our Cell Phones?

Sheriff Carmine Marceno of the Lee County Sheriff’s Office asks the question, “What will convince drivers to put down their cell phones while driving?” Sheriff Marceno believes we have become dependent upon our cell phones and smart devices. It is an addiction and a struggle for cell phone users to avoid them, even when they should be concentrating on driving.

Perhaps the story recently cited by Sheriff Marceno in his article “From the Desk of Sheriff Carmine Marceno – The Realities of Distracted Driving” will convince drivers to drive undistracted.

In January 2023, a collision on Interstate 10 in Arizona resulted in the tragic deaths of five people. The report was just released that the driver of a semi-truck received a message shortly after 6 a.m. as he proceeded eastbound on the highway. As he turned his attention momentarily away from the interstate to look at his phone, he quickly realized that he was unable to stop his truck without striking passenger vehicles in front of him.

Recommendations on How to Avoid Using Cell Phones While Driving

The following are 8 tips to avoid being distracted by cell phones:

1. Keep your phone out of reach while driving by putting it in the glove compartment or trunk.
2. Turn off your phone, and put it on silent, or “Do Not Disturb” mode before driving.
3. Use apps to block incoming calls and messages while you’re driving.
4. If you need to use your cell phone, pull over to a safe location first.
5. If you’re a passenger in a car, offer to make calls or send texts for the driver.
6. Set the right example for your children. If they do not see you using your cell phone while driving, they may not either when they can drive.
7. Use the voice commands and navigation functions on your phone or vehicle to minimize looking at your phone.
8. Know and respect the state laws regarding cell phone use while driving.

Fort Myers Distracted Driving Lawyer Aggressively Fights for the Rights of Victims of Distracted Driving Accidents

For over 25 years, Fort Myers Distracted Driving Lawyer Randall Spivey has fought for the rights of Florida accident victims. Should you or a family member be injured because of another’s negligence, please contact Spivey Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.A. after seeking medical assistance. There are no costs or attorney fees until the firm receives a monetary recovery for its clients. Contact us at 239.337.7483, toll-free at 1.888.477.4839, or online at SpiveyLaw.com 24/7.