Cellphones Are Not the Only Form of Distracted Driving Accidents in Florida

Florida’s Ban on Texting While Driving Law took effect on July 1, 2019, with warnings leading the way as our state came to terms with the fact that simultaneously texting and driving is incredibly dangerous.

As of January 1, 2020, law enforcement officials began issuing uniform traffic citations for the unlawful activity, which provided an additional incentive in the form of actual penalties for drivers to put their phones down and focus on the task at hand: Driving.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reported 2,841 deaths caused by distracted driving last year alone throughout the country. Of those fatalities, 1,730 were drivers, 605 were passengers, 429 were pedestrians, and 77 bicyclists, leaving no one safe from the life-changing consequences of distracted driving.

At The Law Offices Of Keith Bregoff., our Vero Beach personal injury lawyer knows that while cellphones may be the most common form of distraction for drivers, there are many more that should be addressed before our Florida drivers put their cars in drive.

Here are a few tips to help keep our Indian River County residents’ eyes, ears, and minds on the roads to avoid accidents with injuries or fatalities.

Bluetooth Connected Devices Can Lead to Severe Traffic Accidents in Florida

Picking up your cellphone and directly sending a text while driving is very dangerous.

However, even when your cellphone, Smartwatch, or other Bluetooth enabled device is connected to your car, you must still take at least one step to accept a call, text, or email, which can easily take your attention off the road.

To respond to the communication, you may need to take several steps, depending on your vehicle’s sophistication and capabilities, which can take a considerable amount of attention and focus away from driving.

Our car accident attorney in Vero Beach knows that staying connected is important, but when it interferes with your ability to concentrate on driving — and only driving — the consequences can be fatal.

If you must connect a device to your vehicle’s Bluetooth technology, be sure to do so before you put your car in drive. If you are incapable of responding in a true hands-free way, it can wait.

Your life, and that of those sharing the roadway, is more important.

Your Vehicle’s Onboard Technology Can Cause Severe Traffic Accidents in Florida, Too

As cars, trucks, and SUVs become “smarter,” so does their onboard technology.

Even when drivers are not wirelessly connected by Bluetooth technology, the onboard entertainment can be equally distracting.

Newer vehicles often come equipped with:

• Vehicle entertainment options, including stereo, surround sound, and televisions for passengers
• GPS systems
• High-tech temperature controls, and other operating functions for windows, seats, and mirrors

The more technology options that your car comes with, the more distracting they may be.

Please remember to set all your preferences for each technology function before placing the car in drive to help keep your family safe, including entering your destination into the mapping system, so you can focus on the road while en route.

Have You Been Injured by a Distracted Driver in Florida? We Can Help. 

If you have been injured by a distracted or otherwise negligent driver in Vero Beach, contact our experienced personal injury attorney in Vero Beach at the The Law Offices Of Keith Bregoff  today by calling (772) 492-8967 to schedule a free consultation to learn about your rights and how we can help you pursue financial recovery from the at-fault party.