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Distracted driving has been in the news for years but many drivers still choose to text and drive and many Miami Gardens car accidents continue to be caused by distracted drivers. Even though Florida still does not have a texting ban for drivers, many people are aware that distracted driving (including texting while driving) can lead to Miami Gardens traffic accidents. Why, then, do many drivers continue to drive distracted? Reporters, investigative journalists, and police authorities point to many reasons:

1) Drivers may lack the discipline to not get distracted. Many drivers think that they will “just quickly” check a text message or voice mail. Very few are willing to turn off all devices and put their focus entirely on the road. Unfortunately, even a few seconds of focus away from the road can cause a serious Miami Gardens truck accident or car accident.

2) There are more distractions today than ever before. Lately, even car manufacturers have been targeted for putting more distracting technology and devices in cars. Today, many people have mobile devices, tablets, cell phones, and other devices they carry with them – including devices they bring with them into the car. In addition, newer vehicles have many potentially distracting features, such as LCD touch displays, GPS, complex audio systems, infotainment systems, internet access, and other features. There are more devices and more forms of technology demanding driver attention.

3) Drivers overestimate their driving ability. Some drivers continue to drive distracted because they feel that they can use their mobile devices and still drive safely, even though research has shown that this is not the case.

4) There is not enough awareness about distracted driving. While much has been written lately about the dangers of mobile devices and driving, less is written about distracted driving in general. As a result, there is less awareness about the dangers of driving while eating, changing music, and other distractions.

5) There is a dangerous focus on multi-tasking. With most people busier today than ever before, many of us feel the pressure to do many things at once – including getting tasks done as we drive. Unfortunately, this attitude can be dangerous for drivers.

If you have been in a Miami Gardens motorcycle accident or other traffic accident caused by a distracted driver, it is important to consult with a qualified Miami Gardens personal injury attorney. Unfortunately, proving distracted driving is very challenging and a good attorney will usually work with a private investigator and with other professionals to determine whether distracted driving was a factor in your accident. If distracted driving was a factor, Florida law allows you to recover damages from the negligent driver for lost income, medical expenses, and other costs related to your accident.

Florida Car Accident Lawyer Blog

While the number of drunk driving car accidents has slowly been declining in recent years across the country, the number of car accidents in the community involving drugged driving has been increasing. According to the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA), a third of all drivers killed in US car accidents in 2009 tested positive for drugs.

Like many communities, Miami Gardens has many plans in place to fight Miami Gardens drunk driving accidents. There are breathalyzer tests, roadside checks, and special programs to make drivers aware of the dangers of drunk driving. However, some experts say that not enough is done to make people aware of Miami Gardens car accidents and truck accidents involving drugs.

Part of the problem is that many people are not even aware of the types of drugs that can cause a serious Miami Gardens car collision. Experts list many potentially driver impairing (PDI) drugs which can cause car accidents. Among them are illegal drugs such as methamphetamines and marijuana. However, PDI drugs also include prescription medications and even innocuous over-the-counter drugs, including many popular flu and cold remedies. If drivers are not aware of the dangers of these drugs and do not take care to read labels, they can easily cause an accident.

Another problem is that some of the drugs which can cause Miami Gardens truck accidents and car accidents are illegal. Drugs such as methamphetamines and heroin, for example, can make drivers very unsafe and can also impair judgement to the point where a driver does not realize that they are too impaired to drive. Some experts have suggested that those who flout the law by taking illegal drugs may also ignore safe driving laws and anti-drunk-driving laws as well.

A third problem is that it can be very hard to discern and legislate drugged driving accidents. Breathalyzers and other tools that law enforcement officers use to catch drunk drivers may not work on drivers who are under the influence of drugs. Many drugs also do not leave any odor, the way that alcohol can. In many cases, law enforcement can only determine whether someone has been driving after doing drugs is to get the driver to take a drug test. In many cases, these types of tests are only administered after a fatal accident – after it is too late to stop an impaired driver.

If you have been in a Miami Gardens traffic accident that you think was caused by a driver who was under the influence of drugs, it is important to speak to an experienced Miami Gardens personal injury attorney. If the accident was caused by drugs, an attorney can investigate a driver’s medical records and background to determine whether drugs were a factor. If someone’s negligent use of drugs has caused an accident that has caused you injuries, that driver may be held liable for your injuries.

Florida Car Accident Lawyer Blog

So over the past 10 years, who are the most dangerous drivers on the road?  In other words, drivers in which age group are most likely to drink too much and end up killing someone on the highway?  And how if at all are the fatality rates changing? 

Drunk Driving Killing Male Baby Boomers: Report


Detroit, MI.  April 13 – The rate of driving-related deaths for male baby boomers is rising, in sharp contrast to a decline in driver-related deaths for every other male and female age group, recent federal data shows.

The increase coincides with an increase in drunk driving fatalities among baby boomers, both men and women.

An Edmunds.com analysis of driver fatality data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration found that the number of annual traffic fatalities for men between the ages of 51 to 65 rose by nearly 25% between 2000 and 2009.

During the same period, annual fatality figures for all male drivers regardless of age declined by more than 20%. Fatality figures for all females also declined 20% during the same ten-year period.

Meanwhile, drunk driving fatalities among men and women ages 51 to 65 increased by 37% between 2000 and 2009, while overall drunk driving fatalities among all drivers fell by nearly 7%, Edmunds.com said.

"We spend a lot of worthwhile energy teaching younger generations about the virtues of staying safe on the road — especially when it comes to the dangers of drinking and driving," said Edmunds.com CEO Jeremy Anwyl, in a prepared statement. "But the baby boomer generation is not heeding the same advice they’re giving to their children."

The data analyzed by Edmunds also shows that men are twice as likely to be intoxicated when getting into a fatal accident as women, and that drivers between the ages of 26-35 are more likely to be intoxicated when getting into fatal accidents than any other age group.
 

DUI BLOG