April is Distracted Driving Awareness Month: How to Avoid Car Accidents in Miami

As tourism starts to pick up and more people are out on the roads in Florida, it is not uncommon for roadways to become packed. In Miami, where the highways are five and six lanes in each direction, it is easy for an accident to happen. April is Distracted Driving Awareness Month. It is the perfect time to talk about how to drive safely and what happens when you do not do so.

At ABOGADAS305, we value your case. If you are facing injuries or losses due to another party’s distracted driving, we encourage you to contact us immediately for legal guidance. If you are in a Florida car accident, do not wait to give us a call.

Why Distracted Driving Is a Costly Mistake

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration shares that, in 2023, 3,275 people died as a result of distracted driving alone. When a person is not paying attention to the roadway, even for just a few seconds, they are putting others at risk. Using a cell phone, eating and drinking, or otherwise being distracted can lead to fatal car accidents.

Some of the most common types of distracted driving include:

• Texting
• Talking on the phone
• Engaging in a heated conversation with other passengers
• Eating or drinking while driving
• Applying makeup behind the wheel
• Checking email behind the wheel
• Holding or dealing with a pet in the front seat

Tips on How to Avoid Distracted Driving in Miami

Unfortunately, distracted driving happens everywhere, including on Miami’s busy highways, along the community roads, and even in neighborhood areas. If you are a driver, simply do not use your phone or engage in any other activity while you are behind the wheel.

You know that. You work hard to minimize any risk of being responsible for distracted driving. Yet, how do you share the road with drivers who are constantly distracted? Consider these tips:

Look Down the Road

When you are driving, especially at a high rate of speed, the most important step you can take is to keep looking down the road. Look for signs of the drivers in front of you who may be engaged with something other than what is in front of them:

• They may be driving slowly. It is a natural reaction to slow down as a person glances away from the road to check a text message. If they are driving slower than average, that could be a warning sign.
• Sudden shifts. If it looks like the driver in front of you is steering erratically or suddenly adjusting, that means they are likely engaging in something else and catching themselves swaying outside the line.
• Look at the person in front of you. Are they glancing down at their hand? Perhaps they are looking at their navigation system (another form of distracted driving). Are there other people in the car causing them to be distracted?

When you notice someone engaging in any type of action that seems to be distracted, stay away from them. Move to one or two lanes away and get beyond them so they are less likely to cause an accident with you.

Monitor How Others Stop

Another clue that the other driver may not be paying attention to the road is how they stop. Are they running red lights? They may be stopping hard at the last second, and perhaps may be in the intersection as a result. Are they failing to use turn signals when turning? All of these activities happen when the driver is not paying close attention to what is happening on the road.

Interaction with Other People

Distracted driving can also relate to activities other than using a phone. Sometimes, the problem is that the driver is trying to manage the situation happening in the car with them. For example, they may be in an argument with someone in the vehicle or over the phone. If you notice hand movements, that may be a clue. To avoid a Florida accident, stay away from drivers who seem to be turning around physically in their seats to manage children or pets in the back.

Know What to Do to Avoid a Florida Accident

To avoid an accident with a Florida driver who may be distracted, consider the following tips:

• Move away from the driver as much as possible by switching lanes.
• Remain well behind the driver so that if they stop hard, you do not hit them.
• If possible, take a different route.
• If the driver is putting others at risk or you are concerned they may be having a medical emergency, call 911 to report the driver’s actions.
• Avoid aggressively honking or otherwise engaging with the driver.

Consequences of Distracted Driving Under Florida Law

Those who are engaged in distracted driving may find themselves causing an accident. Even if that does not happen, there are consequences under Florida law for distracted driving.

• A first offense of distracted driving, such as texting while driving, results in a $30 fine plus court costs.
• A first offense of distracted driving in a school zone results in a $60 fine plus three points added to your driver’s license.
• A second offense of distracted driving in a non-school zone could lead to a fine of $60 and three points added to your driving record.

If a driver is engaged in distracted driving and causes an accident, the victim has the right to seek compensation against the at-fault driver for their losses. This is often necessary in situations where a distracted driver’s actions lead to serious injuries and losses.

If You Are Hurt in a Distracted Driving Accident, Call Our Legal Team

Distracted driving occurs when a person is engaged in anything but the roadway in front of them. When this causes your accident, put your trust in our distracted driving accident lawyer at ABOGADAS305. Turn to our attorneys to discuss your case during a free consultation. Let us help you learn what your rights are. Call us at 1-877-305-3055 today.