Florida Injury Lawyer Blog
A new study from the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety concludes that drivers are not able to perform, at the same time, the tasks it takes to safely operate their vehicle while they’re engaged in another cognitive demands — like talking on the phone or talking to text.
Unfortunately, many believe that hands-free devices are safer for drivers and can eliminate the risks for car accidents. But that’s just not the case. Distractions of all kinds can significantly increase our risks for a collision. Even those using hands-free technology to talk or communicate with others while driving were far more distracted than drivers not using cell phones behind the wheel, according to CNBC.
“There are in-vehicle activities, such as using a speech-to-text system to send text or e-mail messages, which produced a relatively high level of cognitive distraction,” stated the AAA study.
Our Fort Myers car accident lawyers understand that distracted-driving accidents take the lives of roughly 3,000 people each and every year. Hundreds of thousands more are injured in these very accidents. Unfortunately, a common theory is that as long as your hands are on the wheel and your eyes are on the road, then you’re okay. But the truth of the matter is that hands-free devices cause serious distraction and can be the cause of serious accidents.
“It’s interesting as AAA nationally did a survey just this past year and 71% of all drivers believed that hands-free is risk-free and 50% of all drivers believed infotainment systems are not distracting. Both of those statistics could not be further from the truth,” said Gail Weinholzer, at Triple-A-Iowa.
Officials with the National Safety Council (NSC) are backing these findings and are urging automakers and lawmakers nationwide to look over this new study and make the appropriate changes.
“We encourage these groups to reconsider the inclusion of communications and entertainment technology built into vehicles which allow, or even encourage, the driver to engage in these activities at the expense of focusing on driving,” said Janet Froetscher, the NSC’s president and CEO.
As we recently reported on our Florida Injury Lawyer Blog, Governor Rick Scott has signed a ban to makes it illegal for all drivers in the state of Florida to text message in the driver’s seat — or at least it will be when the law takes effect in October. If you’re busted distracted by text messages or emails behind the wheel, then you’re looking at a $30 fine. Although it’s a mere secondary offense, it’s still a step in the right direction.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a traffic accident, call Associates and Bruce L. Scheiner, Attorneys for the Injured, today for a free and confidential consultation to discuss your rights. Call 1-800-283-2900.
More Blog Entries:
New Regulations Limit “Hours of Service” for Truckers, Florida Injury Lawyer Blog, June 18, 2013
Local Woman Killed in Fort Myers Pedestrian Accident, Florida Injury Lawyer Blog, June 14, 2013
