The Truth About Distracted Driving

Bill Allen | May 14, 2015 | Gainesville Personal Injury Law News

In today’s world of modern, portable conveniences and high-tech, helpful vehicles, the tendency to drive while distracted is significantly easier to simple into than it has been in the past, and distractions lead to accidents. Many of the cases handled by Allen Law Firm involve injuries due to accidents that could have been avoided if the drivers had not been using their cell phones, texting, or multi-tasking in their vehicle as they went from one location to another.

The Allen Law Firm believes that if we can educate and inform our communities about this problem, the better equipped we are to prevent it from happening so that our streets are safer here for everyone here in North Central Florida.

So, what is distracted driving, exactly?

According to distraction.gov, distracted driving is “any activity that could divert a person’s attention away from the primary task of driving. All distractions endanger driver, passenger, and bystander safety.” The types of distractions that distraction.gov lists include:

  • Using a cell phone or smart phone
  • Texting
  • Using a navigation system
  • Reading, including maps
  • Talking to passengers
  • Grooming
  • Watching a video
  • Adjusting a radio, CD player, or MP3 player

Other devices that have been cited as distractions included:

  • Game console
  • Tablet PC
  • iPad
  • Carputer
  • DVD player
  • Mobile TV
  • Laptop computer

Any of these habits and devices can contribute to or cause the three main types of driving distractions, which are:

  • Visual distraction: taking your eyes off the road
  • Manual distraction: taking your hands off the wheel
  • Cognitive distraction: taking your mind off of driving

Texting is actually the most alarming driver distraction because it involves all three types of distractions.

Though technology such as smartphones, music players, and navigation systems are indicators of a prosperous and technologically-advanced society, these devices should never be used while driving. When they are, the potential for at-fault driving leading to injuries or death is at its highest.

Is It Ok To Check Your Phone If You Are Quick?

The answer to that is statistically, no. There is plenty of evidence that drivers actually admit to many bad habits while driving, according to the results of the National Occupant Protection Use Survey of 2011. The survey results revealed that “At any given daylight moment across America, approximately 660,000 drivers are using cell phones or manipulating electronic devices while driving, a number that has held steady since 2010.” When operating handheld devices, drivers are four times more likely to get into an injury-inducing crash, and drivers who are texting, specifically, are twenty-three times more likely to crash.

The Allen Law Firm cares for those injured by the fault of a distracted driver. Their team of personal injury attorneys is always ready to help you move past these tragic events by taking on every aspect of your case and leaving you with nothing more to worry about than your own health and recovery.

Contact Our Personal Injury Law Firm in North Central Florida

If you need legal assistance, contact the Gainesville personal injury lawyers at Allen Law Firm at your nearest location to schedule a free consultation today.

We have two convenient locations in North Central Florida:

Allen Law Firm, P.A. – Gainesville office
2550 SW 76th St #150
Gainesville, FL 32608
(877) 255-3652

Allen Law Firm, P.A. – Ocala Office
112 S Pine Ave
Ocala, FL 34471
(352) 351-3258