Florida's Distracted Driving Awareness campaign
Distracted Driving graphic courtesy of FL HSMV.
IT CAN WAIT: FL HSMV launches Distracted Driving Awareness campaign.
53,596 distracted crashes resulted in 268 deaths last year.
Put it down. Focus on driving.
53,596 distracted crashes resulted in 268 deaths last year.
Put it down. Focus on driving.
Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FL HSMV)
Tallahassee, Florida - April is National Distracted Driving Awareness Month. The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FL HSMV) and its division of the Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) are educating Florida motorists on the importance of avoiding distracted driving and following the laws in place designed to prevent distracted driving crashes.
According to FLHSMV data, distracted driving crashes resulted in 268 fatalities in 2022 – down 77 deaths from last year’s eight-year high of 345. But with 53,596 distracted driving crashes in Florida last year, that means, on average, there were 1,116 distracted driving crashes every week.
“Distracted driving is dangerous driving,” said FL HSMV Executive Director Dave Kerner. “If you’re behind the wheel, put away all distractions. Do not jeopardize your safety or the safety of your passengers or others on the road.”
Texting while driving is a primary offense of Florida’s "Wireless Communications While Driving" law. Law enforcement can stop a vehicle solely for using a wireless communications device while driving, including in active work and school zones.
Drivers under 30 represent almost 40% of all distracted driving-related crashes. In Florida, citations for distracted driving peak with the 30-34 age demographic, but crashes are highest among the 20-24 age group.
Distracted driving is anything that takes your hands off the wheel, your eyes off the road, or your mind off driving. Distracted driving could be texting while driving or just scrolling on your phone, but it may not be limited to those unsafe activities. Other passengers, browsing music, using navigation devices, eating, or monitoring children could all distract you while driving and cause an inopportune break in concentration that could result in a crash.
Distracted driving can hurt not only you and your passengers but can significantly influence the driving behavior of others, especially young, impressionable drivers.
In 48 states, as well as the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, texting while driving is illegal. Offenders can be ticketed, fined, and also obtain points on a driver license.
“If you don’t see it, you can’t react to it,” FHP Lt. Col. Mark Brown said. “FHP urges everyone regardless of age to keep your eyes on the road at all times to prevent tragic situations from occurring.”
‘PUT IT DOWN’ ADVICE
• When driving, set an example of safe driving behavior – phone out of view, no texting, limit distractions.
• If you need to text, pull over to a safe location and put your car in Park. Or, if you have a passenger, have them respond to calls or messages.
• Are you struggling with texting while driving? Activate your phone’s "Do Not Disturb" feature, or put your cell phone in your vehicle’s trunk, glove box, or back seat until you arrive at your destination.
• Listen to your passengers: If they catch you texting while driving and tell you to put your phone away, PUT IT DOWN. If you see someone texting while driving, speak up. If your friend is texting while driving, tell them to stop.