New Distracted Driving Laws Can Make Florida Roads Safer
Even though the number of Florida auto accidents dropped in 2010, it would be beneficial for our state to enact tougher legislation and pass a law that makes texting while driving illegal. Other states across the country have passed such laws in recent years, and our lawmakers should get serious about protecting people from distracted drivers. In 2010, 2,430 people died in Florida auto accidents. This was the lowest number of people killed since 1978, but Florida remains one of the most dangerous states in the country for auto accidents every year behind only California and Texas.
A report issued by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration indicated that 5,474 people died and an astonishing 448,000 more experienced injury in distracted driving accidents in 2009. Of those figures, drivers talking and texting on cell phones while behind the wheel directly caused at least 995 deaths and 24,000 injuries. Currently, our state has no laws on the books banning the use of cell phones while driving. One Florida lawmaker sponsored a bill in 2010 that would ban texting while driving, but it languished in committee and did not pass.
However, there are two bills currently up for debate in the Florida legislature. If passed, H.B. 79 and S.B. 158 would make using a “wireless communication device” while operating a motor vehicle a secondary violation. Passage of either of these bills would reduce the number of auto accidents in our state, prevent injuries and deaths and reduce insurance and medical costs for taxpayers.
Orlando personal injury lawyer James O. Cunningham has been practicing law since 1977. In recent years, he has seen a huge rise in the number of people injured and killed by distracted drivers, and he works hard to help each client injured by these negligent motorists receive the maximum allowable compensation. Through settlements and court awards, his clients receive the fair and just compensation they need to pay medical bills, replace lost wages and defray other costs caused by the accident. If you have suffered injury due to a distracted driver and you want to speak with an experienced, aggressive personal injury attorney in Central Florida, call him at 888-425-2004 or 407-425-2000. Schedule a free consultation with Mr. Cunningham today and get his experience, work ethic and knowledge of the law on your side!
James O. Cunningham
Since 1977, personal injury lawyer James Cunningham has provided effective legal advocacy to people who are injured through the negligent actions of another person or entity throughout the Central Florida area. He fights to obtain recoveries for his clients’ physical and emotional pain and suffering and pursues his clients’ personal injury cases with a commitment to excellence and impeccable preparation.