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Much has been written in recent years about distracted driving. Florida is currently considering legislation that would make it illegal to text and drive, even though similar legislation has not managed to pass legislature in past years. Numerous research studies have shown that distracted driving is extremely dangerous. In fact, some studies have shown that distracted drivers have the same slow response times as drivers who drive drunk.

Researchers agree that distracted driving can increase the risk of an accident considerably. Despite this, Florida remains one of the few states that do not ban texting and driving or outright. People who are injured in cell phone related car accidents in Biscayne Park and other communities, however, can pursue a personal injury claim in order to get compensation for their injuries. In addition, police do have the right to arrest someone who causes an accident while texting and driving if their driving is considered reckless.

Distraction and Car Accidents in Biscayne Park

One reason that legislation banning texting and driving has a hard time in Florida legislature is because Florida experts do not entirely agree on the safest legislation to pass. Some claim that simply banning handheld mobile devices would improve safety on Florida’s roads. Manufacturers of hands-free devices often promote this idea, claiming that their devices allow drivers to keep their eyes on the road and their hands on the wheel while driving.

However, some lawmakers and experts disagree. They claim that any form of mobile device or discussion can distracted driver. They note that people using a hands-free device while driving are still focused on the conversation rather than on the road in front of them. This means that they can still cause pedestrian accidents in Biscayne Park and other types of traffic accidents because their full focus is not on driving.

What Legislation Could Prevent Traffic Accidents in Biscayne Park?

Of course, legislating hands-free devices will be much more difficult as it can be more challenging for authorities to catch someone who is talking on a hands-free device while driving. In addition, many drivers feel that being able to have access to a mobile device is essential for their safety and their convenience. Many motorists are simply unwilling to give up the convenience of mobile devices. The question for lawmakers then becomes: how can we pass legislation that keeps Florida residents safe while also helping to prevent car accidents and truck accidents in Biscayne Park?

So far, lawmakers are still undecided. In the meanwhile, if you are injured in a traffic accident in Biscayne Park that was caused by distracted driver, you can pursue compensation to help recover money for property damage, medical costs, lost wages, and other expenses related to your injuries. Contacting a personal injury attorney in Biscayne Park or your community can ensure that drivers who drive distracted are held liable for their actions.

Florida Car Accident Lawyer Blog

According to a study by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, drunk drivers were less likely to repeat the offence if they had alcohol interlock devices installed in their cars. The study examined drivers who were convicted of drunk driving in Washington. According to the study, the rate of repeat drunk driving offences declined by 12% after Washington State mandated that all drivers convicted of drunk driving install interlock devices on their cars.
The study may suggest that Miami Springs car accidents could be prevented with a similar initiative in Florida. With Miami Springs drunk driving accidents still claiming too many lives and causing too many injuries each year, perhaps it is time to consider mandatory alcohol interlock devices for drivers convicted of DUI offenses.

Alcohol interlock devices work very simply. The devices are installed in a vehicle and the driver of the vehicle must blow into the device before the car will start. If the driver has been drinking, the car will not start. The idea behind the devices is that they prevent drivers with an elevated blood alcohol level from starting and driving their cars. Advocates of the devices say that they prevent drunk driving and physically stop someone from driving their car after drinking. Advocates point out that the devices physically place an obstacle to driving drunk and are more effective than license suspension, since someone with a suspended license can still choose to drive without a license quite easily.

Those who disagree with the Washington program, however, point out that alcohol interlock devices are expensive and do not necessarily prevent someone from drinking and driving. Someone can still borrow a car without an alcohol interlock device and drive that vehicle. A driver with an alcohol interlock device in their car can also fool the system by having someone else blow into the device.

Anne McCartt of the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety feels that alcohol interlock devices do work in preventing drunk driving deaths, however. She notes that drivers with DUI convictions are more likely to repeat their offence and be involved in fatal DUI car accidents. As a result, McCartt and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety are supporting an initiative that would create a federal law to pressure states to create similar laws as Washington, requiring those drivers convicted of DUI to install alcohol interlock devices. States who initiate such programs would be eligible for additional federal highway funds and might get additional incentives.

Currently, fifteen states require any driver convicted of a DUI to install alcohol interlock devices in their car in order to maintain driving privileges. Twenty-two states require alcohol interlock devices only for those drivers who had very high blood alcohol levels at the time of their arrest and for those drivers who were repeat offenders. Drivers can choose to suspend their driving privileges in most cases, rather than install the alcohol interlock device.

Some experts feel that the devices could be effective in helping prevent some Miami Springs personal injury cases stemming from drunk driving. Even if only a few lives are saved by the devices, these experts suggest, the program is well worth the effort.

Florida Car Accident Lawyer Blog