Area Florida Businesses Tired of Waiting for State Ban on Texting While Driving Enact Their Own Ban

By Orlando Personal Injury Attorney on September 20, 2012

Although state lawmakers have not yet passed legislation banning texting while driving, some Florida businesses and non-profit organizations have enacted their own rules preventing employees, students and others from sending and reading texts while behind the wheel. Our state remains one of only six states without laws prohibiting drivers from sending or reading text messages while driving despite overwhelming evidence that drivers who send and read texts are at substantially higher risk for causing and being involved in accidents. James O. Cunningham and other Orlando personal injury attorneys strongly support a texting ban, but, despite numerous bills introduced in recent years, Florida lawmakers have not yet made any of these bills into laws.

Schools in Seminole County recently joined a growing number of organizations prohibiting workers from using cell phones while driving. The new policy prevents workers from using their cell phones while driving between school facilities whether they are using school vehicles or their own. The schools joined some Orange County schools, as well as Walt Disney World, Darden Restaurants and other Orlando-area employers who want to make Florida roadways safer.

According to a poll conducted by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, 87 percent of drivers support some type of legislation banning cell phone use while driving. The organization cites well-documented research showing that drivers who use cell phones are four to six times more likely to cause or be involved in an auto accident than drivers who do not use their phones while driving. State Senator Nancy Detert, R-Venice is expected to introduce yet another bill banning texting during the next legislative session. This bill would be the fourth texting ban introduced in the last few years. Two of her bills have been passed by the Senate but have failed to make it through the House.

She is hopeful that this bill will finally overcome concerns about government actions infringing on drivers’ personal freedoms.

"I don’t think it’s too much government," she said. "I don’t think we’re telling people what to do. It’s a safety issue."

The Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles reports that 25,156 Florida auto accidents in 2011 involved distracted drivers, with 180 accidents directly attributed to texting while driving. Many insist that the number of accidents caused by texting drivers is much higher.

Orlando auto accident lawyer James O. Cunningham agrees that the number of accidents involving texting drivers in 2011 is likely to be much higher than 180. He represents people who have been injured by distracted drivers and uses his skills and experience as a personal injury attorney to help them receive the fair and just compensation they deserve. Anyone injured in an accident caused by a negligent driver is encouraged to call him today at 800-425-2004 to schedule a free consultation to learn more about their rights and legal options.

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.