Distracted driving is an epidemic on American roads. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, distracted driving claimed 3,308 lives in 2022 alone. As former law enforcement officers, we have responded to countless accidents caused by drivers who were not paying attention.
There are three types of distraction: visual (taking your eyes off the road), manual (taking your hands off the wheel), and cognitive (taking your mind off driving). Texting while driving involves all three, making it one of the most dangerous activities behind the wheel.
Florida's hands-free law prohibits holding a phone while driving in school and work zones. While the law allows hands-free phone use in other areas, we strongly recommend minimizing all phone use while driving. Even hands-free conversations reduce your reaction time significantly.
At 55 mph, looking at your phone for just five seconds means you travel the length of a football field essentially blindfolded. That is enough distance for conditions to change dramatically — a car stopping ahead, a pedestrian stepping into the road, or a traffic signal changing.
Create a distraction-free driving routine: silence your phone or use Do Not Disturb mode, set your GPS and music before you start driving, and pull over safely if you need to make a call or send a text. These simple habits can save your life and the lives of others on Tallahassee roads.
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