Seven Florida counties have seen a spike in traffic fatalities this year. As a result, Gov. Rick Scott wants highway safety leaders to study whether texting while driving is to blame.
Traffic fatalities are up four percent across the state. In Hillsborough County, there have been 137 traffic deaths this year, compared with 115 in 2011. In Duval County, there have been 98 fatal crashes, compared with 69 last year.
Currently, data on distracted driving is limited, because Florida has no law against texting while driving. As a result, police don’t normally track that behavior in routine crashes.
However, traffic homicide investigators are now beginning to check drivers’ cellphone records in fatal crashes to see whether texting was a factor. The Florida Highway Patrol has also started to keep better records by documenting whether texting was a factor in crash reports.
A Florida Personal Injury Lawyer Can Help
If you or someone you love has been injured by a distracted driver in Florida, you need an experienced Florida accident attorney. Call the law firm of Philip DeBerard, Injury Attorney, today at 800-299-8878 or fill out our convenient online contact form for a free consultation.
The legal team of Philip DeBerard, Injury Attorney, concentrates on helping accident victims in Stuart, Jupiter, Port St. Lucie, Okeechobee, Fort Pierce, Palm Beach and Vero Beach.
