Accidents caused by texting while driving are on the rise. According to the National Transportation Safety Board, distracted driving has surpassed drunk driving as the most dangerous way to drive.
Teenagers are one group of people who are at high-risk of being injured in an accident caused by distracted driving. In Jacksonville, the Duvall County Sheriff’s Department, Duvall County Public Schools, and the nonprofit group SELF (Service, Education, Leadership Foundation) are attempting to address this issue.
Together, they are hosting a contest aimed at getting students to understand the risks involved with texting while driving.The contest asks teens to create short videos on the dangers of distracted driving. The videos will be uploaded to SELF’s YouTube channel, and 10 finalists will be selected from the entries. The winning student will receive $1,500 in scholarships and a $1,000 grant for an improvement project at their high school.
Florida lawmakers are also tackling the issue of distracted driving.The state’s legislature is considering a new bill that would ban texting while driving. A similar proposal was considered by lawmakers last year, but it was defeated. However, this time the bill has met with little opposition. If passed, the new law could take effect in 2013.
Across the state, efforts are being made to combat distracted driving. In the meantime, individuals who text while driving continue to pose a serious threat to the safety of others. If you have been injured by a distracted driver or a person who was texting while driving, you need an experienced South Florida car accident attorney.
An Experienced Personal Injury Lawyer Can Help
The law firm of Philip DeBerard, Injury Attorney, has provided legal assistance to car accident victims in South Florida and the Treasure Coast since 1975. The firm sponsors a Facebook campaign to help end distracted driving entitled Hang Up and Drive! We believe that distracted driving is a life-threatening behavior that can be stopped.
If you or someone you love has been injured by a distracted driver in Florida, call us today at (800) 299-8878 or fill out our convenient online contact form for a free consultation.
