What would you say if you were told that 25 percent of all motor vehicle fatalities were caused by something that is 100 percent 
preventable? The truth of the matter is that people regularly lose their lives on the roads each year due to distracted driving. The good news is that this is something that we can all work toward preventing. In fact, anytime that you pick up a cell phone or become distracted behind the wheel, you are putting your own life and the lives of other drivers at risk.
Miami-Dade Fights Device Distraction
In Miami-Dade County, the efforts to reduce texting and driving have extended to people riding bicycles, skateboards, hoverboards, mopeds, and similar vehicles. Through the “Put it Down” campaign, which is a preventive program teaching high school students the dangers of distracted driving, leadership in the County is working toward lowering our rates of distracted driving injuries and fatalities. Since 2012, “Put it Down” has targeted Miami drivers age 16-14, which is the demographic most at-risk for an injury from distracted driving.
The new parts of the program will include installation of new signs throughout the county, as well as other strategies to deter mobile device use on roadways and in public space.
Pedestrians Die Too
Last year, 6,000 pedestrians were killed in motor vehicle accidents nationwide, according to the Governors Highway Safety Association. This unfortunate statistic has been linked to factors such as state legalization of marijuana and increased smartphone use.
Is the texting ban working?
The state of Florida banned texting while driving in 2013, but the caveat is that police must witness drivers committing another violation before pulling over a distracted driver. Unfortunately, neither the texting ban nor record-high seatbelt usage has stopped vehicular, pedestrian, or bicycle roadway fatalities in Florida from increasing more than 31% over the next three years.
Since 2013, both Chambers of the Florida legislature have drafted bills to make distracted driving a primary offense, but none of the bills have passed.
Distracted Driving Facts
- Teens are the largest age group to report being distracted when fatal crashes occur.
- Driver distraction is reported to be responsible for more than 58 percent of teen crashes.
- It takes only three seconds of distraction to cause an accident.
- Car crashes are the number one killer of teens in the U.S.
- Distracted driving has been called the “new drunk driving.”
If you have suffered an injury due to an accident with a distracted driver, you may be eligible to receive financial compensation for your injury. Contact an experienced personal injury attorney to learn more about the laws of liability on the roads.
References:
Texting while driving ban may extend to bikes, skateboards, mopeds. (2018, May 30). Retrieved from http://miamitodaynews.com/2018/05/29/texting-while-driving-ban-may-extend-to-bikes-skateboards-mopeds/
100 Distracted Driving Facts & Statistics for 2018. (2018, July 05). Retrieved from https://teensafe.com/distracted-driving/100-distracted-driving-facts-and-statistics-2018/
