Eyes on the Road: The Role of Distracted Driving in Florida's Road Accidents

Distracted driving causes thousands of car crashes every year. In fact, it’s one of Florida’s top causes of motor vehicle accidents. From slowing down reaction times to increasing your risk of making mistakes, distracted driving puts you and others at risk.

Let's take a closer look at distracted driving in Florida and how drivers can take simple steps to make the roads safer for everyone.

Overview of Distracted Driving Incidents in Florida

Distracted driving, which refers to any activity that takes your eyes off the road or hands off the wheel, isn't limited to cell phone use. Changing the radio station, eating while driving, or interacting with passengers can have disastrous consequences.

Florida is one of the worst states for distracted driving. In 2023, there were over 54,000 crashes linked to distracted driving recorded in the state. These crashes caused over 2,600 serious injuries and a tragic 286 fatalities.

It's also worth noting that distracted driving puts vulnerable road users like pedestrians, bicyclists, and motorcyclists at risk, especially in busy urban areas. In 2023, more than 1,500 road fatalities recorded in Florida belonged to one of these three categories.

Types of Distractions

Being aware of the different types of distractions that can endanger yourself and others will help you to adopt safer driving habits.

Phones are a major source of distraction for drivers. However, phone usage behind the wheel isn't limited to calling and texting. Drivers are increasingly engaging in dangerous behaviors such as checking social media or interacting with gig apps.

Infotainment systems can also be a distraction. These systems often feature large screens that can tempt drivers to take their eyes off the road.

Eating while driving or interacting with passengers are other unsafe but common behaviors. In fact, passengers are an especially common source of distraction for teen drivers, whose likelihood of getting into a crash increases threefold when driving with friends in the backseat.

Legal Measures and Enforcement

The state of Florida has laws in place to protect everyone from distracted driving, but these laws are not as strict as those of other states.

Florida’s Wireless Communications While Driving Law adopted in 2019 bans texting while driving. It also limits cellphone usage in school and work zones, though hands-free features are still permitted.

Law enforcement issued over 2,600 citations for texting and driving in 2022. This number seems relatively low given that more than half of drivers admit to checking text messages while driving.

Florida's no-fault system means that drivers don't necessarily face penalties for causing an accident. However, the justice system is taking a tough stance on cases that involve negligence. For instance, a driver who caused a fatal crash by texting while driving recently received a 30-year sentence.

Advocates are pushing for stricter laws that would only allow hands-free cellphone usage. As a driver, you can make the roads safer by limiting your cellphone use behind the wheel even though making calls is legal in most cases.‍

Technology Solutions to Combat Distracted Driving

You can take additional steps to prevent distracted driving thanks to technology:

• Enable your cellphone's "do not disturb" feature while driving.
• Set GPS coordinates before driving. Stop if you need to enter new coordinates.
• Use your phone's voice assistant to avoid taking your eyes off the road.
• Link your phone to your car's infotainment system to avoid looking down at a small screen.
• Apps like SafeDrive can block distractions while providing rewards for not checking your phone while driving.

Modern vehicles come with safety features that can prevent crashes and reduce distracted driving. For instance, some cars have lane departure assist or lane keeping assist systems that can prevent you from drifting away from your lane if you take your eyes off the road.

Driver monitoring systems are another effective way of preventing distractions. These systems use sensors to track the driver's face and warn inattentive drivers with sounds or lights.

Public Awareness and Education

Since 2017, the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) has been raising awareness with its Put It Down campaign. Many municipalities and law enforcement agencies have partnered with this campaign to organize events and share educational materials designed to remind drivers of the dangers of distracted driving.

Nonprofits like Hands-Free Florida or Dori Saves Lives are also doing important work by educating the public about cellphone usage and distracted driving.

For parents and educators, the Teen Safe Driving Coalition has an excellent collection of resources designed to educate young drivers.

Preventing Distracted Driving in Florida

Florida has one of the highest rates of distracted driving, and existing state laws have a somewhat limited effect on curbing dangerous practices.

Advocates are pushing for stricter regulations. Meanwhile, drivers can make a difference by being mindful of their own driving habits. Everyone has a responsibility towards others when getting behind the wheel, and simple steps such as avoiding cellphone usage and keeping your eyes and mind on the road at all times can prevent a tragedy.

If you’re the victim of distracted driving, you do not have to navigate this alone. Accident.com is here to help.