Florida Is Second Worst State for Distracted Driving
Distracted driving is one of the leading causes of car accidents. Unfortunately, a study published by the Sun Sentinel shows that distracted driving should be of special concern to drivers in Florida. The study, using data from the EverDrive app, reports that Florida is the second worst state for distracted driving, ranking it only behind Louisiana.
Car accident lawyer Daniel D. Moody explains the findings of this survey even further, to help drivers in Lakeland, FL,Winter Haven, FL, and surrounding areas understand just how dangerous this common driving practice can be.
About the Study
The Sun Sentinel reported on the findings of a study released by EverQuote, Inc, an online insurance firm, using data collected by the EverDrive motion-sensing app. The app recorded and measured speeding, sudden acceleration, aggressive turning, hard braking, and other vehicle movements while a driver’s phone was in use.
Based on the recordings collected by EverDrive, drivers were given a distracted driving score. To keep data as accurate as possible, movements were not recorded while a driver’s phone was in sleep mode, or while a driver’s phone was in use through a hands-free device.
Despite growing recognition of the dangers of distracted driving, the data collected in the study suggests that 92 percent of all drivers likely used a cell phone while driving within the past 30 days. According to the study’s overall scoring system, Florida ranked as the state with the second highest instances of distracted driving, which the Sun Sentinel reports was not a surprise to the Assistant Chief of the Fort Lauderdale Police Department.
How Dangerous Is Distracted Driving?
The findings of this study should catch the attention of drivers across the state, because distracted driving poses a huge threat to all on the road. The Sun Sentinel article reports that during 2016, Florida recorded nearly 50,000 car accidents involving distracted driving. This equates to more than five distracted driving crashes every hour. Reported crashes involving distracted driving were responsible for over 3,500 serious injuries and 233 deaths during that year.
As high as these numbers may seem, many believe that they are underestimated. Since people are unlikely to admit that they were practicing distracted driving at the time of a crash (for fear of consequences), it is difficult to get a true representation of the problem.
Common Forms of Distracted Driving
It is worth noting that this particular study measured only instances of distracted driving involving a phone. While texting and making phone calls are two of the most common forms of distracted driving, they are not the only ones. Other forms of distracted driving include:
- Eating or drinking
- Using a GPS device
- Changing the radio station
- Talking to other passengers in the car
- Applying makeup
- Reading
We urge Lakeland drivers, and those across the state, to avoid any activities that take their eyes off the road, their hands off the steering wheel, or their mind off the task of driving.
Schedule a Consultation
If you have been injured in a car accident involving distracted driving, you may be due financial compensation for your losses. To discuss your case with attorney Daniel D. Moody, send us a message online at your earliest convenience, or call (863) 284-9090 to schedule a legal consultation.
