It’s been a catch-22. Florida remains one of the 16 states that has yet to ban texting while driving, at the same time, Florida has no idea how many accidents are associated with this form of distracted driving! Without this vital information, state lawmakers haven’t felt it was necessary to ban texting by law. It’s tough to get excited about a problem you don’t have any handle on. Now, that is changing.
Law enforcement is trying to get a more accurate count on the extent of the problem, reports The Florida Times-Union, so beginning this year, the Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) is including a line on the accident report form to list anything that might have been a distraction to the driver before they were involved in a collision. Since there is more cell phone usage today than ever before, FHP thought it was a good idea to understand what impact cell phones in particular are having on Florida drivers.
Driving distracted in Florida is thought to be responsible for only four deaths in the state during 2009 among 1,964 fatal crashes, but the suspicion is that the problem is much bigger than that. The revised accident report form will also include other distractions beside texting and using the cell phone such as eating, putting on makeup, arguing, yelling at the kids, or reaching for something in the car. A spokesman for the Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA) expects all states will eventually outlaw the use of cell phones behind the wheel or the federal government may withhold federal funds from those states.
The distracted driving car accident lawyers in Jacksonville at Farah & Farah law firm remind every driver that no phone call is that important. Put the phone away while driving or have a blue tooth that allows you to speak with one press of the button so you can focus on driving.
Source: http://jacksonville.com/news/metro/2011-08-06/story/legislators-trying-no-florida-law-yet-texting-while-driving
