Distracted driving has been a problem for longer than you might think. Those who know car history may know that there was a lot of pushback against car radios because it was feared people would take their eyes off the road. Their entertainment value and their ability to keep drivers awake and informed won that fight and now they’re a standard feature.
Now the fight is against texting and driving. All states, including Florida, have rules against distracted driving due to texting and electronic device usage. In July of 2019, new rules were released that state you can only use electronic devices in a hands-free way near schools and construction sites.
But distractions can happen for reasons besides your smartphone. A dangerous one is driving while sleepy. Driving while sleepy can make you just as dangerous as a drunk driver on the road. If you ever feel tired while driving, it’s time to stop.
Another type of distraction is age-related cognitive decline. Florida is home to many retirees and “snowbird” migrations happen with the seasons. As we age, our ability to think and react decline and this can lead to accidents.
Excessive conversation, arguing in a car, or eating in a car can also cause you to become distracted. If it takes your eyes off the road, your hands off the wheel, or your mind from driving, you’re distracted and could be held liable if you cause an accident.
If you believe you’ve been injured due to driver distraction and it wasn’t your fault, you could be eligible for compensation. Contact Chalik Law and share your story. You could have a case.
Driving while fatigued can cause accidents, leading to serious injury and even death. Although studies have shown that drowsy driving can be as dangerous as drunk driving, experts say that too many drivers do not take the hazards seriously enough. New technologies under development may help prevent accidents caused by drowsy driving. Some auto safety…
Are older drivers at greater risk for accidents? How Age Impacts Driving Ability South Florida’s year-round sunshine makes it a popular retirement spot and destination for “snow birds.” Part of living in a state with such a high population of older drivers is acknowledging and recognizing the effects of aging on a person’s ability to…
Teens love to text and often seem glued to their phones. As parents, it’s our job to teach them when to take a required break from texting. Specifically, we must teach them the dangers of texting and driving and why the two make a deadly combination. Texting and Driving: A Recipe for Disaster Texting is…
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