The month of April has been labeled distracted driver month in Florida. Question: What is the best way to avoid a distracted driver? Answer: Defensive driving.


Attorney Jason MacriAuthor: Attorney Jason Macri

Distracted drivers are the cause of a large percentage of auto accidents on our roads today. Many people are texting or talking on their cell phones while driving. Others are surfing the internet on their smart phones. Add some loud music into the mix and a few brightly lit billboards on the side of the road and you will have the perfect cocktail of distraction. What is the best way to avoid being hit by one of these distracted drivers? The answer is Defensive driving.

A good defensive driver knows to try and avoid as many distractions as possible. The easiest way to limit distractions is to make sure you never text while driving. Texting while driving is not only illegal in Florida, it is extremely dangerous. Many experts compare the effects that texting has on a person’s driving ability to the effects that being intoxicated has on a person’s normal faculties. Texting requires one to take their eyes off the road, even if only for a second or two. One to two seconds of distraction while driving can make the difference between quickly reacting to a change in traffic ahead of you and failing to react in time. It truly becomes a life or death matter.

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Photo Courtesy of FDOT

Talking on a cellphone while driving can also cause a distraction. One way to limit this distraction is by using a hands-free device. This will not completely remove the distraction however as many experts believe that a mere conversation can cause a distraction. The only way to completely avoid the distraction of talking on a cell phone while driving is to ensure that all phone calls are made either before or after driving. At a minimum, it is best to keep all telephone conversations as short as possible when behind the wheel.

Because of the fact that so many distractions exist while on the road, defensive driving has never been more important. The best way to avoid an accident is being able to react to the danger as soon as possible. The best advice anyone can give is to keep your eyes on the road, your hands on the wheel and your mind on the task at hand. Some accidents are unavoidable however, no matter what type of evasive action you take. If you are injured by a distracted driver, contact an experienced injury lawyer as soon as possible. Your lawyer will gather up the evidence necessary to prove that the other driver was distracted and because of this distraction, was clearly at fault.



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