New Ad Campaign Encourages Drivers to Put Down Phones When Driving
Florida Highway Patrol is partnering with up with the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) and cellphone providers to encourage drivers to put down their phones while they are driving. This new campaign recognizes that texting while driving is dangerous, but using a smartphone in any way while driving is also unsafe. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) defines distracted driving is as “any activity that diverts a driver’s attention away from the primary task of driving.” There are three types of distractions that may take a driver’s attention away from the road:
- Cognitive Distractions: an activity that takes the driver’s mind away from driving.
- Visual Distractions: an activity causes the driver to look at anything other than traffic.
- Manual Distractions: an activity that causes the driver to take their hands off the wheel.
Texting while driving encompasses all three types of distraction. Other examples of distracted driving activities include:
- Talking on the phone;
- Eating;
- Drinking;
- Talking with passengers;
- Changing the radio;
- Grooming;
- Reading;
- Using GPS; or
- Watching videos.
The FDOT has estimated that drivers are 23 times more likely to cause an accident if they are texting and driving. In an effort to prevent accidents caused by distracted driving, Florida and other states have prohibited the use of cell phone while driving. While it is still legal to use a handheld device in Florida, other states completely ban the use of handheld devices while driving. The FDOT’s new ad campaign focuses on getting drivers to simply put down phone by downloading smartphone applications that will read text messages, or even prevent incoming text message while driving. Alternatively, the FDOT campaign encourages drivers to designate a passenger to read and send messages so that the driver can focus on the traffic.
Unfortunately, cell phones are a dominant part of American culture and their prevalence has fueled an increase in distracted driving and the accidents they cause. Texting while driving creates a deadly risk to drivers and innocent pedestrians. When a driver sends a text while driving they take their eyes off the road, or handheld device, for approximately 4.6 seconds. Driving at a rate of 55 miles per hours it’s like driving the length of a football field with a blindfold. This is more than enough distance to cause a life changing and devastating accident.
Contact an Attorney
Florida’s ban on texting while driving acknowledges the danger of distracted texting. If you or someone you know has been injured in a car accident and you suspect the other driver was texting while driving, then you may need to contact an attorney. You may be able receive compensation for loss wages, medical bills, property damage, and other losses. The Miami distracted driving attorneys at our firm can guide you through a legal claim for the best possible outcome. If you have any questions about a possible claim, contact Alan Goldfarb, P.A. today and let us talk to you about your case.
