Distracted Driving

Regular readers of this blog are very familiar with our state’s lack of cell phone legislation for drivers. They are also very familiar with Orlando personal injury attorney James O. Cunningham’s stance on this issue. He prefers a zero tolerance policy on cell phone use of any kind while driving and encourages state lawmakers to take decisive action on this issue to save lives. Currently, there are no state laws against texting, surfing the internet or making calls on cell phones while driving. Further, Florida does not allow communities to enact legislation against distracted cell phone driving.

Recently, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) recommended that all states impose total bans on cell phone use while driving, except in cases of emergency. Yet, in spite of clear evidence illustrating the dangers of talking and texting while behind the wheel, many law enforcement officials take a dim view of the NTSB recommendation.

One such dissenter is St. Johns County Sheriff David Shoar, who, while admitting that texting while driving is “a killer,” does not support a national ban on cell phone use while driving.

“I think it can be handled at the state level,” he said.

Sadly, Florida lawmakers have repeatedly killed cell phone legislation in committee, and this reticence is taking a serious toll on the lives of Floridians. The Florida Highway Patrol recently conducted a study on cell phone use by drivers, and their findings are consistent with other studies conducted across the country. The FHP found that drivers who talk on their phones while driving are four times more likely to be involved in an accident. They found that cell phone use was the primary contributing factor in seven fatal auto accidents in our state in 2010, citing instances where talking or texting was definitely the cause of the accident.

They freely admit that their findings are very conservative and that cell phone use is very likely the cause of many more accidents and fatalities. FHP Lt. Bill Leeper cited the difficulties of singling out cell phone use in auto accidents.

“A lot of times, you can’t prove it,” he said. However, he said that he expected the problem to worsen in the coming months and years, saying, “It is increasingly becoming an issue because of the numbers of people who have cell phones.”

“Texting is even more dangerous,” he said.

Florida may not yet have laws against cell phone use on the books, but people injured by distracted drivers still have legal options. With the help of experienced, aggressive Orlando personal injury lawyers such as Mr. Cunningham, they can seek damages against negligent drivers and get the fair and just compensation they deserve. To schedule a free consultation with Mr. Cunningham, call 888-425-2004 or 407-425-2000 today.

Accident investigators found that a recent fatal auto accident on the Florida Turnpike was caused by a driver who was changing the compact disc in her car. Florida Highway Patrol investigators say the recent accident occurred around 2:50 p.m. at Mile Marker 237, south of Kissimmee-St. Cloud and closed two lanes of the Turnpike for several hours. They say the 63-year-old victim was driving her 2000 Chevrolet SUV southbound on the Turnpike when a 2001 Pontiac Firebird driven by a 55-year-old West Palm Beach woman suddenly veered from the left lane into the right and struck the SUV. The impact caused the SUV to roll over onto its roof and skid a short distance. Although she was wearing a seatbelt, the SUV driver died from her injuries at the scene. Two passengers in the SUV were treated for minor injuries. Charges are pending against the driver of the Firebird, who suffered minor injuries in the crash.

Orlando personal injury lawyer James O. Cunningham would like to remind his readers that any activities that distract a driver from the safe operation of a vehicle, even for an instant, can result in tragedy. Today, most distracted driving accidents are caused by people who talk, text and search the internet on their cell phones despite the well-publicized risks of doing so. Distracted driving can also include eating while driving, reaching for an object on the floor, applying makeup and many other activities.

These and other examples of distracted driving are negligent and place everyone else on the road at significantly elevated risk for being involved in an accident. Negligent drivers are often held responsible for the damages they cause their victims, and rightly so, as victims often suffer life-changing injuries and catastrophic medical bills through no fault of their own. If a distracted driver has injured you or someone in your immediate family and you would like to speak with an experienced Orlando personal injury attorney, call James O. Cunningham today at 888-425-2004 or 407-425-2000. Mr. Cunningham offers free consultations, listens intently to potential clients’ concerns, answers their questions and explains the law and legal options in plain, easy-to-understand language so that they can make informed decisions. Call today to get his skills and experience on your side!

America’s state governments are now getting help from the federal government agencies in cracking down on drivers who use cell phones while behind the wheel.

Recent reports indicate federal groups are lending support to a “distracted driving” campaign aimed at limiting the use of cell phones on the road and advertising strict policies about talking or texting while driving in many states.
Read more…