Dangers of Distracted Driving

Posted By fycadmin

Driving while distracted can take many different forms. The most commonly known distraction for driving is that of texting or checking email while driving. There are many other sources of distraction that can lead to a a serious injury or fatal accident including interaction with passengers and even fiddling with the radio.

Various studies have shown that texting while driving or emailing while driving can be almost as dangerous as being under the influence of alcohol while behind the wheel. A distracted driver, one who takes his eyes off the road gives up a safety cushion which can make all the difference in the world. The longer the distraction the greater the danger.

Checking a text message or sending a message can give away up to five car lengths of safety cushion just by taking your eyes off the road at highway speeds.

This dilemma is one that has come upon us in the last 10 years with the availability of smart phones and the Internet in your pocket. The U.S. Department of Transportation estimates that in 2010 alone over 3000 people were killed and distracted driving car accidents. That number increased in 2011 and is expected to be higher in 2012.…

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November 28, 2012

Will You Get A Ticket For Texting While Driving In Florida?

Posted By fycadmin

We recently blogged about tips to help avoid distracted driving. The potential for car accidents while texting and driving is certainly a hot button issue. So hot that the state of Florida is considering joining 45 other states nationwide that place a ban or restriction on this very activity.

This past Tuesday, Florida lawmakers proposed Senate Bill 52. The Bill would make texting while driving a secondary offense in Florida. Rather than an all-out ban (like 37 states have), making texting while driving a secondary offense in Florida would mean the police officers would be able to issue a ticket IF the driver was being pulled over for a different offense. Put differently, a police officer could not pull a driver over and issue a ticket simply because the driver was texting. But if the officer was already pulling the driver over for another offense (i.e. speeding, running a stop sign, etc) then the officer could also issue a ticket for texting in addition to the initial offense. The texting fine would be $30. If texting while driving were ever to become a primary law then the police would be able to pull drivers over and issue a ticket simply because he or she was breaking the law by texting and driving.…

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March 10, 2010

D-Day For Texting And Driving In Tallahassee

Posted By fycadmin

A House committee will take a look at a bill to ban texting-and-driving on Florida’s roads and highways. According to an Associated Press story, the bill being considered would make texting while driving a crime, which would be a secondary offense. That
means police officers would only be able to issue a Florida traffic ticket for texting if the driver had been pulled over for another offense.

If you are a Florida traffic attorney, today’s committee hearing holds a lot of interest as the laws surrounding distracted driving continue to expand and get added to the books all over the nation. This particular bill would make a first violation carry a $30 fine and it would not be a moving violation. A second offense would be a moving violation if it happened within five years of the first. The second traffic citation would have a fine of $60.…

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February 10, 2010

Distracted Driving Law Could Face An Uphill Battle In Florida

Posted By fycadmin

We just blogged about a distracted driving law nearing passage in Iowa and now there is more news concerning the status of texting and driving in Florida. According to a story on the Sarasota Herald Tribune website, the proposed ban on texting while driving in Florida could face an uphill climb considering how long it took lawmakers to finally pass a law requiring Florida drivers to wear seat belts.

Florida is the minority when it comes to laws against distracted driving. According to the story, 19 states ban text messaging for all drivers and 28 ban text messaging in certain situations and for certain drivers. Even school bus drivers in Florida are not banned from text messaging while driving. In order to try and get something passed, a version of the bill that only deals with text messaging and does not result in points on a Florida driver’s license is being discussed. The issue will be discussed when session begins March 2.…

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