Indicators of Distracted Driving in Fort Pierce
Distracted driving is a leading cause of serious bodily harm, injuries and death. It has become a growing problem within our community and throughout the nation. The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) reports there were almost 50,000 crashes involving distracted driving in our state alone, in 2016. Because Sholtes Law, PLLC’s goal is to keep the Fort Pierce community safe, below you will find common indicators of distracted driving so you can do your part to avoid an accident.
Distracted Driving Signs
Distracted driving comes in different forms. Today, we will focus on three of them – swerving, abrupt changes in speed, and the use of earbuds.
- Swerving.
If a driver is swerving over the road, there is a possibility that the driver is participating in distracted driving and focusing their attention elsewhere instead of on the road.
Make sure you distance yourself from the driver and keep space between you. In the event something startles the driver, a car accident is bound to happen.
- Abrupt changes in speed.
Sudden changes in speed is another warning sign of distracted driving. When a driver slows down, then speeds up, then slows down again, do what you can to avoid this distracted driver.
The driver could be attempting to multitask by eating, talking on the phone, checking on children in the backseat, or trying to grab a document from the glove compartment. Maintain a safe traveling distance.
- Using Earbuds.
Earbuds are used to talk on the phone and listen to music. While the use of earbuds is a means of hands-free communication, the issue with using earbuds while driving is the inability to hear.
For instance, a driver may not hear emergency sirens. Instead of yielding or stopping for the paramedics, the driver may continue driving and cause an accident.
Florida’s Distracted Driving Law
You may recall our previous article on the Ban on Texting While Driving Law. As a reminder, talking and texting is a primary offense in our state.
Recently, the law was updated to include distracted driving in the form of phone usage in particular areas. As of October 1, using a phone is illegal in school zones, school crossings, and active construction work zones. This update makes it illegal to hold the cell phone to look at apps.
According to a First Coast News article, Florida expanded this law in the hopes of saving more lives.
Law enforcement will issue warnings through December 31, 2019, and on January 1, 2020, drivers will receive a citation for non-compliance. The penalty for non-compliance is a traffic ticket, a $60 fine and point reduction on driver’s license.
Were You Injured by Distracted Driver in Fort Pierce? Call Sholtes Law, the Fort Pierce Distracted Driving Accident Attorney.
If you were involved in a distracted driving accident, contact a Fort Pierce distracted driving lawyer serving St. Lucie & Martin County at Sholtes Law, PLLC. Our firm is proud to serve the Treasure Coast with the goal of making a positive difference in the lives of the people who live here. Your home is our home, and your personal injury is our personal injury. Call 855-534-2509 for a complimentary case analysis.
Resource:
firstcoastnews.com/article/news/local/updated-florida-distracted-driving-law-begins-oct-1/77-f17c67c7-f6b2-4d27-b2f7-9cb04f7a896a
