Proposed bans on texting while driving in Florida continually fail in the House or Senate leading individual jurisdictions to implement their own texting ban. Key Biscayne is the latest town to take up the cause.But when the Florida Legislature returns for the 2012 session in January, lawmakers will once again be faced with debating whether to enact a texting while driving law.
The statistics are clear that distracted driving causes serious accidents leading to injuries and deaths on American highways.According to the National Safety Council (NSC), distractions now join alcohol and speeding as leading factors in fatal and serious injury automobile accidents. The NSC also found that every 26 seconds, an accident occurs as the result of texting or cell phone use.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that in 2009, nearly 5,500 fatalities and close to 500,000 injuries resulted from crashes involving a distracted driver. According to Florida’s 2010 crash statistics, careless driving (the equivalent to distracted driving) was the leading cause of accidents in the state. More than 47,500 careless driving accidents resulted in injuries, and 332 resulted in a fatality.
Thirty-five states have enacted a texting ban, yet Florida lawmakers do not believe they can enforce such a ban.However, according to an article in the News-Press.com, Rep. Irv Slosberg, D-Boca Raton, a Florida highway safety advocate, is going to try again to get the “Florida Ban on Texting While Driving Law” pushed through.Currently, it is with the Transportation and Highway Safety Subcommittee.
HB 299 establishes texting while driving as a secondary offense, meaning law enforcement cannot pull a driver over for texting and driving, but if stopped for another primary offense the driver can be cited for the offense.Slosberg hopes this will help lawmakers accept the proposal.
Slosberg believes texting and driving can be a lethal combination.State Rep. Kathleen Passidomo, R-Naples, agrees with Slosberg, saying, “To me it [the bill] makes a lot of sense. There are so many accidents involving texting while driving.” Members of the law enforcement community are in favor of the bill as well. Lee County Sheriff’s Office spokesman Tony Schall said, “How can you text and drive and not compromise safety?”
Florida car accident attorney Philip DeBerard supports implementing bans on cell phone use and texting while driving.Previously DeBerard has said, “Every year, more people across Florida and the Treasure Coast lose their lives in accidents that could have been prevented if motorists made better choices with their cell phones.”
The car accident attorneys at Philip DeBerard, Injury Attorney recognize the importance of drivers maintaining awareness at all times, without the distractions from cell phone use. We encourage drivers to keep our highways safe by putting down their cell phones and focusing on arriving safely at their destination.
Contact an Experienced Florida Car Accident Lawyer
If you or a loved one has been injured in a Florida car accident due to a distracted or careless driver, seek experienced counsel. I am attorney Philip DeBerard. I have three decades of legal experience representing people injured in car accidents and other personal injury claims.
The law firm of Philip DeBerard, Injury Attorney, represents victims of car accidents and automobile crashes in Stuart, Jupiter, Port St. Lucie, Okeechobee, Fort Pierce, Palm Beach and Vero Beach. If character traits such as integrity, dedication and compassion are what you seek in an accident lawyer, call Philip DeBerard. Choosing the right accident lawyer does make a difference.
Call 1-800-299-8878 to speak with a knowledgeable Florida car accident attorney or fill out our online contact form.
