Texting while driving is illegal in Florida, but it still poses a huge problem in the state and everyone knows it. In fact, according to a recent poll by Kelly Blue Book, 97 percent of U.S. drivers surveyed said they consider distracted drivers to be their No. 1 concern on the roads. Distracted drivers were cited as more of a concern than drunk drivers, drivers with road rage and even poor weather conditions.
It was reported that the poll also found that more than 90 percent of participating drivers were aware of their state’s laws governing texting while driving, which means that a majority of people know that their behavior is against the law but they choose to do it anyway.
Interestingly, over 80 percent of those polled blamed other drivers between the ages of 19 and 34 for doing the most texting behind the wheel. However, safety officials know that it is a problem among older demographics as well.
Additionally, only 20 percent of those polled admitted to texting while driving themselves, yet, on average, the poll participants said that they believe 41 percent of all drivers text while behind the wheel.
Whether drivers want to fess up to the behavior or not, texting while driving is not only illegal, it’s extremely dangerous.
We understand the damage caused by distracted driving
As a law firm that represents victims of distracted driving and their families, we see the devastation caused by distracted driving accidents first-hand. In an instant, a family can be torn apart and lives can be forever lost because a driver looks away from the road to send or read a text.
Distracted drivers cause all types of accidents, including rear-end collisions, head-on collisions, bicycle accidents, pedestrian accidents and those caused by lane violations. When a driver has his or her eyes off of the road, they have a very difficult time applying the brakes in time in order to avoid an accident.
In effort to combat the problem of distracted driving, the Florida Department of Transportation partnered with GEICO Insurance this summer to create 64 “Safe Phone Zones” at Rest Areas, Welcome Centers and Turnpike Service Plazas throughout the state. Find out more about the initiative, including where the “phone zones” are located, here.