April Is Distracted Driving Awareness Month: Know Your Risks

Regardless of your driving record, it is important to periodically assess your driving behavior. Distracted driving is one of the biggest dangers on Florida roads and a leading cause of car accidents in Bradenton. Even seemingly harmless actions you take behind the wheel could make crashes and collisions more likely to happen.  Find out more about the problem and common distractions that put you, your passengers, and other motorists at risk.

Distracted Driving in Florida

According to the latest statistics from the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV), distracted driving is responsible for more than 50,000 car accidents throughout the state each year. These end up claiming the lives of more than 300 drivers and passengers each year while leaving thousands of others suffering serious personal injuries.

April is designated as Distracted Driving Awareness Month by the National Safety Council. The goal is to make drivers more aware of how being distracted increases car accident risks. If you are driving 55 miles per hour or greater, looking away from the wheel for just a few seconds is the equivalent of driving the entire length of a football field blind. It makes you less likely to respond properly to unexpected situations and sudden changes in traffic and more likely to engage in other dangerous driving behaviors, such as:

• Failing to yield to other drivers;
• Weaving in and out of lanes;
• Running red lights and stop signs;
• Speeding and going too fast for conditions.

Are You A Distracted Driver?

Distracted driving in Bradenton is a common cause of rear end crashes, head on collisions, and accidents in intersections. Any activity that causes you to take your hands off the wheel, your eyes off the road, or your mind off the important task of driving increases your risk of causing harm to yourself and others. Texting is one of the most common and dangerous driving distractions. Under the Florida Statutes, it is also illegal.

Law enforcement officials can pull you over and issue a traffic citation if they suspect you of texting and driving. However, even if you make a point of never using your cell phone to text while behind the wheel, be alert to other common types of distractions:

• Talking on cell phones or listening to voicemail messages;
• Checking emails or performing other online activities;
• Taking pictures or videos;
• Changing GPS or car stereo settings;
• Eating and drinking coffee or other beverages;
• Putting on makeup or adjusting your appearance;
• Reaching for items in the glove compartment;
• Handing items to children in the backseat.

Let Us Help You Today

Distracted drivers not only put themselves at risk, but they endanger others on the road. If you are injured in a distracted driving accident, the Law Office of Steven G. Lavely is here to help you get the compensation you are entitled to in a claim. To request a consultation, call or contact our Bradenton car accident attorney online today.

Resource:

flhsmv.gov/safety-center/driving-safety/distracted-driving/distracted-driving-crash-dashboard/

https://www.lavelylaw.com/protecting-your-child-against-car-accidents-in-bradenton/