Articles Posted in Distracted Driving

Florida legislators have tried to pass legislation that would ban cell phone use and texting while driving for years but have been unsuccessful. While supporters of such legislation claim that texting and cell phone bans for drivers would help prevent Florida truck accidents and car accidents, others claim that texting and cell phone bans might actually increase traffic accidents.

While it seems counter-intuitive, given the media coverage about the dangers of texting, some experts note that many commercial truck drivers rely on cell phones to communicate while on the job. If a cell phone ban was in place, drivers would have to pull over frequently in order to contact their dispatcher or company, and these sudden stops could actually increase the number of Florida truck accidents. As well, if hand-held devices were banned, truckers and motorists would still likely be able to use hands-free phones, and there is no confirmation that such devices are not just as dangerous as regular mobile devices.
As well, opponents of texting bans point out that texting and cell phones are not the only distractions causing Florida truck accidents. In fact, many Florida car accidents and truck accidents caused by distracted driving are caused by a myriad of distractions. Drivers put on make up, change music, adjust GPS devices, chat with passengers, shave, change clothes, drink, sip coffee, and do many other things while driving. All of these behaviors are a distraction and are potentially risky. However, it is impossible to create individual legislation banning each of these possible distracting behaviors in cars or trucks. It’s just not feasible. Therefore, a texting ban alone might not help prevent Florida truck accidents and traffic accidents caused by distracted drivers, simply because many other types of distracted driving would remain.

Many opponents of the texting ban also note that enforcing the ban would be almost impossible and would stretch law enforcement resources even further. If a ban were in place, some experts predict, some drivers would simply keep their mobile devices in their lap while texting, making it hard for law enforcement to see who was breaking the law. In addition, keeping mobile devices on laps while texting might result in even more Florida truck accidents and car accidents, according to experts, as it would cause drivers to see the road even less.

Advocates of texting bans note that many Florida bus accidents, train accidents, car accidents, and truck accidents have been linked to cell phone use and texting specifically and that even if the legislation saved only some lives or prevented some injuries the law would be worth passing. Opponents note that every new technology – even the introduction of the radio in cars – has been greeted with similar concerns about safety until drivers simply got used to the new technology.

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While some states have passed laws which ban texting while driving, Florida has no such laws. It is not for lack of trying – in the past few years, Florida’s lawmakers have tried to pass such legislation eight time and have simply not been successful. So far, nineteen other states have laws which restrict or ban cell phone use or texting behind the wheel. There are good reasons for these laws. Numerous research studies have shown that using mobile devices while driving is a major source of distracted driving and accidents. Florida legislators have noted that texting bans might help prevent Florida truck accidents and car accidents caused by distracted driving.

Although Florida so far does not have any texting while driving bans in place, Florida law enforcement authorities can issue tickets and citations to texting drivers if the drivers engage in risky behaviors as a result of texting. For example, if a driver is driving recklessly because he or she is texting, the driver can be cited for reckless driving. Distracted Florida drivers often run stop signs or lights or make other mistakes because they are texting rather than focusing on the road. Obviously, such infractions will result in tickets, so texting while driving can still result in tickets in Florida.

According to the Highway Patrol, Florida drivers engage in other distracting behaviors while driving – which can just as easily lead to a Florida car accident or truck accident. Eating, adjusting the radio, shaving, applying makeup, drinking, adjusting the GPS, and chatting with passengers are all distracting behaviors which can lead to Florida truck accidents and traffic accidents.

Police authorities and law enforcement in Florida are warning drivers not to text and drive, even though there is currently no legislation specifically prohibiting the behavior. Many law enforcement agencies point out that driving is dangerous, even though it may feel familiar and safe. All motorists need to use common sense and put their full attention on the road to prevent Florida truck accidents and car accidents, warn law enforcement agencies.

Authorities note that legislators cannot pass laws prohibiting every specific sort of distracting behavior which can be dangerous on the road, so it is up to drivers to exercise common sense in order to help prevent Florida truck accidents and car accidents. If motorists need to talk on cell phones while driving, law enforcement authorities note, it is best to use a hands-free cell phone model which allows motorists to keep both hands on the wheel and their eyes on the road.

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Although there are many regulations at the state and federal levels regulating truck drivers, truck companies, and the truck industry, car drivers still have an obligation to help prevent Florida car accidents involving trucks. Florida trucking accidents involving cars are often especially tragic for passenger vehicles and their occupants, simply because of the disadvantageous difference in size between a truck and a car. There are many things that Florida car drivers can do, however, in order to help prevent tragedy:

1) Stay alert. Avoid a Florida drunk driving accident as well as trucking accidents and other types of traffic accidents by driving sober. Even one drink can impair your judgment. In addition to drinking, carefully consider any medications – including over-the-counter medications – that you may be taking. These may also cause you to become drowsy and unfit to operate a vehicle.

2) Stay focused. Distracted driving is a major contribution factor to Florida truck accidents and traffic accidents of all types. Avoid using your cell phone, mobile device, or headphones while driving. Focus on the road rather than on conversations or on entertainment.

Now that awareness about the dangers of distracted driving is growing, Bluetooth and many other technology manufacturers are touting hands-free technology as the way to make cell phone calls and even texting safer. Devices designed for drivers read text messages and allow drivers to dictate messages – all while keeping their eyes on the road. While hands-free technology can help prevent a driver from taking their eyes off the road, however, there are many reasons why this technology is not necessarily safer or better at preventing Florida car accidents and truck accidents:

1) Hands-free technology does not help prevent a driver from being absorbed by a conversation. The problem with cell phone calls is not just that the driver has to dial a number. Rather, while a driver is talking on the phone, he or she becomes absorbed in a conversation or discussion, and this causes less focus on the road. This will not be prevented by hands-free phones.

2) Hands-free technology can affect what a driver hears. A truck driver using Bluetooth or other hands-free technology is often wearing a device that can affect their ability to hear. This can allow drivers to miss important auditory clues – which can easily lead to a Florida pedestrian accident or other terrific accident.