Por qué enviar mensajes de texto mientras se conduce es seis veces más peligroso que conducir bajo los efectos del alcohol
When driving, you must focus because any distraction makes it harder to brake or swerve in case of an emergency. Distracted driving is a serious concern, with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reporting 3,308 fatalities from such incidents in 2022.
When you think of distracted driving, texting may not always be the first thing that comes to mind. But it’s actually one of the major causes of road accidents, which led to the implementation of the Florida texting and driving law.
Here, we explore how texting compares to driving under the influence (DUI) and discuss Florida texting and driving law in depth.
Texting and Driving Risks vs Driving Under Influence Comparison
Being on your phone while driving involves the following:
- Taking your eyes off the road
- Taking your hands off the wheel
- Losing concentration on driving
Texting while driving may cause you to miss road signs and react slowly to changes in traffic. It also distracts your mind and affects your physical ability to control the car.
While a drunk driver may not be able to brake or swerve quickly due to slow reflexes, they still keep their eyes on the road. Hence, they are more likely to avoid accidents if they have enough time and space to react to an emergency.
When texting, you will likely not just check your phone once and return it. Chances are you’ll be tempted to check your social media for other messages or respond to texts that aren’t even urgent. Due to the repeated distraction, texting while driving is significantly riskier than DUI.
Many people mistakenly believe a quick text won’t affect their driving, and they may feel confident enough to speed or overtake other vehicles. But when conducir bajo los efectos del alcohol, they are more likely to be cautious.
While there are many driving safety tips to avoid the dangers of using phones on the road, teens and young adults are most likely to ignore them. Unfortunately, these groups often lack enough driving experience and may not have defensive skills to help them avoid accidents.
Distracted Driving Statistics
An article by Drive Safe Online compares driving while texting to moving through the length of a football field (360 feet) without looking. While responding or sending a message can typically take 5 seconds, a lot can happen during that time.
For example, a car can join your lane, shortening the distance between you and the driver who was in front of you before. An animal may also cross the road, and another motorist could start backing into the road from their driveway.
Taking your eyes off the streets or controlling the steering wheel with one hand for even five seconds can be deadly.
Drivers who use their phones while on the road are four times more likely to be in a car accident, according to AAA. While hands-free phone use allows you to hold the steering wheel, it still distracts your mind and doesn’t significantly lower the risk of a crash.
The same AAA article says that 12.3% of people involved in car crashes due to distractions admitted to using their phones. Such statistics clearly show that texting and driving are severe hazards, but most people undermine or ignore them.
The Florida Texting and Driving Law
After realizing texting driving dangers, the state government introduced the Florida texting and driving law in 2019.
According to the law, driving while texting in the state is illegal, and a police officer can pull you over if they notice you aren’t compliant. The regulation requires them to issue a driving ticket even if you aren’t breaking other road safety rules.
Who Is Exempt From the Florida Driving and Texting Law?
You may be exempt from the Florida driving and texting law if you are:
- A firefighter
- A law enforcer
- Emergency medical responder
However, you should be able to prove the primary reason for texting was for your work duties. You won’t incur penalties if you use your mobile to report an emergency or criminal activity. The law also exempts motorists who use autonomous or self-driving vehicles.
How Does the Florida Texting and Driving Law Affect You
The Florida driving and texting law only applies when your vehicle is moving. So, you can make calls and text while stuck in traffic or waiting for a red light to turn.
While doing these things protects you from the penalties, it doesn’t necessarily improve safety. When texting at a red light, for example, you may not notice when it’s time to move, and other motorists may crash into your stationary car.
Here are other important things to note about the law:
- Texting while driving in Florida is a primary offense
- Work and school zones have special protection
- You can contest an issued ticket in court
- The tickets cause penalties on your driver’s license
Driving while texting on your phone is a primary offense, so an officer can give you a ticket even under suspicion. In the past, they could only cite you for the mistake if you committed another offense, such as swerving or speeding.
While the Florida texting and driving law lets you text while your car is stationary, you aren’t allowed to do so on a road work site or in a designated school zone. The only exception is when you are in a life-threatening situation or when using virtual assistants like Alexa or Siri.
If a police officer pulls you over because they suspect you were texting while driving, they can’t search your phone records without a warrant. However, you can voluntarily provide consent to prove your innocence.
Regardless, the officer could still issue a ticket, which you may contest in court to avoid penalties and license points.
Avoid Texting and Driving to Protect Yourself
Texting and driving affects road safety and may cause severe injuries or fatalities in case of a crash. Understand the Florida texting and driving law to avoid penalties and other legal consequences. You should also follow texting driving safety tips to prevent distractions and make roads safer.
If you’re wondering how to deal with a traffic ticket in Florida, RHINO Lawyers can help you. We’ll review the facts of your case and fight it on your behalf. Contáctenos for a consultation.
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