Why Less Driving Does Not Mean Safer Florida Roadways

At the Law Offices of Keith Bregoff, our Vero Beach personal injury attorney knows that during the nationwide shutdown brought on by the pandemic in 2020, our Florida roadways never seemed emptier.

Fast forward to nearing the end of 2021, even with commerce back in full swing, many Floridians have kept working remotely, driving less, and watching closely where the next year takes us.

And we are not the only ones spending less time traveling.

The Federal Highway Administration reported that drivers across the U.S. are averaging 7.5% fewer miles than before the pandemic. However, the first quarter of 2021 was the deadliest single year start to on the nation’s roads in nearly a decade.

So, what is leading to the increase in car, motorcycle, pedestrian, and truck accidents in Florida and across the nation, even with fewer drivers on the road?

Drivers simply are not paying attention behind the wheel.

Distracted and Reckless Driving are Serious Concerns on Our Florida Roadways

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reported that car crashes killed an estimated 8,730 people from January to March 2021, marking a ten percent increase from the previous year, which led to a focused effort to encourage more-conscientious behavior behind the wheel.

This includes abstaining from the biggest distraction of all, the use of cellphones while driving.

While most adult motorists understand the consequences of looking down at their phones while driving, the behavior continues on our Florida roadways and across the nation, and is visible from car to car, every day, without fail.

While distracted driving is one of the leading factors of crashes, it is not the only one.

The NTHSA says to help prevent these crashes drivers must simply slow down, stow their cellphones, buckle up, and always drive sober.

When they do not, severe accidents can, will, and do occur, causing serious injuries and fatalities throughout Florida.

Do Your Part To Keep Our Florida Roadways Safe

Whether the distraction is a phone in your hand or mentally checking out while behind the wheel, losing sight of what is important puts every car and person around you at risk.

Each of us can do our part to help keep our Florida roadways safe by:

• Keeping your focus on the traffic patterns in front of you.
• Keeping your eyes on the road and hands on the wheel.
• Holding yourself accountable for safe driving habits.
• Conscious driving decisions can help save lives – especially your own.

If you have been injured or lost a loved one in a car accident with a negligent driver in Florida, contact our experienced personal injury lawyers in Indian River County at the Law Offices of Keith Bregoff today by calling (772) 492-8967 to schedule a free consultation to discuss your case.