In the near future, it might be a primary offense to use a hand-held phone or other device while driving in Florida. According to the Tampa Bay Times, a bill dubbed the “Hands-Free Florida Law” was filed for the 2019 legislative session. The proposal aims to ban drivers from using hand-held phones to talk, though it would allow the use of “hands-free” devices. If this bill is passed, you could be pulled over and cited if a police officer sees you texting and driving.
The “Hands-Free Florida Law” could do a lot to decrease accidents caused by negligent driving. The CDC reports that each day in the United States, approximately 9 people are killed and more than 1,000 people are injured in crashes that are reported to involve a distracted driver.
As a personal injury law firm located in South Florida – one of the nation’s most dangerous zones for car accidents – we see these statistics come to life. So many of the fatal or seriously harmful accidents that we deal with could have been prevented if drivers committed to safer driving habits. Distracted driving due to phone use is a problem, let the facts speak for themselves!
- Texting while driving is more dangerous than drunk driving. People who text while driving are 6 times more likely to get into an accident than those who drive while intoxicated. Driver’s Alert reports that you’re 6 times less likely to get into an accident while driving drunk than you are while texting behind the wheel.
- Hands-free isn’t necessarily distraction-free. Many people believe that using a hands-free phone mode while driving is better, but studies show that distraction from cell phone use while driving (handheld or hands-free) delays a driver’s reactions as much as having a blood alcohol concentration at the legal limit of .08 percent, according to CODOT.
- Cell phone use takes up critical brain focus. Driving while using a cell phone reduces the amount of brain activity associated with driving by 37%, reports CODOT.
- The majority of car crashes happen because drivers aren’t paying attention. 80% of crashes in the US are related to driver inattention, and cell phone use is the #1 source of driver inattention, CODOT says.
What Can You Do?
As a Florida driver willing to take initiative, you have the ability to change the statistics. The only way to really make the roads safer is for drivers to take the responsibility of adopting safer driving habits. What can you do? Share the information about the negative impacts of cell phone use while driving, and commit to being a safe and alert driver yourself!
Have you or a loved one been injured in the Boca Raton, FL area because of another driver’s negligence? Remember that negligence can certainly include the irresponsible use of a cell phone while driving. We’re here to help you understand your rights and what kind of compensation you’re entitled to under Florida law. Don’t waste time in getting the justice you deserve! Contact The Law Offices of Jeffrey A. Rosenberg by calling (561) 508-8800 or messaging us online.
