April is Distracted Driving Awareness Month and it’s the ideal time to discuss the dangers of driving without having full focus on the road. Unfortunately, distracted driving is a key cause of car collisions and serious injury in Coral Springs and across South Florida.
Redefining Distracted Driving
While many people think distracted driving simply means texting and driving, it in fact can mean any one of the three things:
- Any activity that takes your eyes off the road.
- Any activity that takes your mind off driving.
- Any activity that takes your hands off the wheel.
By this definition, using a hands-free device, daydreaming, having an animated conversation, and many other seemingly innocuous activities are in fact distracted driving and studies have shown that such distracted driving does lead to slower response times and an increased risk of accidents.
One of the risks of distracted driving is that many motorists feel they can multitask or take their eyes or minds off the road “just for a second,” when in reality studies have shown that even very short distractions can have tragic consequences, leading to serious crashes.
Preventing Distracted Driving in Coral Springs
We all have a responsibility to stay safe on the roads, including preventing distracted driving. Here’s how we can do that:
- Remove distractions from the car: Put your mobile devices on airplane mode and keep them out of hand’s reach so you won’t be tempted to “quickly check.”
- Pull over to make calls: It is safer to call from a parked car than to be focusing on your conversation while driving, even if you are using a hands-free device.
- Drive defensively: Thinking a few maneuvers ahead keep your focus on the road and can prevent you from daydreaming or “zoning out.”
- Drive only when sober, calm, and rested: When you are fatigued or under the influence, your response time is slower and your mind may be more likely to wander, making you more at risk of car collisions. In addition, pay attention to your emotional state. Driving when you’re worked up, angry, or fretting about something means you may be focusing on whatever is making you upset rather than on the road.
- Occasionally change up your route: It may be easier to focus on driving in a less-familiar environment than in one you drive every day.
- Take breaks on longer drives: If you are taking a long drive, remember to fight fatigue and distraction by taking regular rest stops to get out of the car, stretch, and move around.
How Do I Know if My Car Collision Was Caused by a Distracted Driver?
When trying to determine the cause of your collision and the liable parties, distraction is not always obvious. Before the crash, you may have noticed that a driver was driving erratically, but there may not be clear signs of distraction. If you suspect a distracted driver caused your injuries, contact Flaxman Law Group at 1-866-352-9626 (1-866-FLAXMAN) for a free accident consultation with a Coral Springs distracted driver injury claims attorney. Our team has more than 60 years of experience and we represent clients who have been injured to help them seek fair financial recovery for their losses.