According to ABC Action News, the Senate Transportation Committee recently approved a bill that prohibits drivers from texting while driving. However, the House companion bill hasn’t made it through the committee process yet. These types of anti-texting bills aim to reduce the risks of car accidents in Lake Worth and elsewhere. Sen. Nancy Detert, R-Venice, is pushing this ban for the third time. Florida is one of a few states that doesn’t have a law prohibiting this dangerous behavior behind the wheel.
“It’s time that we caught up to the rest of the nation,” said Sen. Arthenia Joyner, D-Tampa.
Our Lake Worth car accident attorneys understand that drivers who text behind the wheel are in more danger of getting into an accident than a drunk driver. Teenagers are most likely to text behind the wheel and therefore have a higher accident rate than drivers in any other age group. To help raise awareness in these young drivers about the consequences of distracted driving, the U.S. Department of Transportation is launching its “OMG” public service announcement campaign.
The PSA will be airing on the Distraction.gov website, at Regal Cinema theaters and on gas station pump-top screens around the country throughout the month of December.
“Teen drivers are particularly vulnerable to distracted driving, which is why we are making an extra effort to ensure they understand the dangers,” said Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood.
As the holiday season gets underway, teenagers will be granted with some time away from school for winter break. During this time, these young drivers will flock to our roadways in route to visit with friends and family members for the holidays. Parents are asked to talk with these young drivers about the risks, dangers and consequences that they’ll be faced with during the busy holiday travel season.
Included in the PSA is common texting lingo that teenagers are using these days on their wireless devices, including “LOL” and “L8R.” DOT officials feel this is an effective way to reach these drivers. This lingo and the safety message will be displayed at roughly 12,000 gas pumps, at more than 525 theaters on roughly 6,600 movie screens and on the Distraction.gov website.
Currently, there are 35 states, Guam and the District of Columbia that prohibit all drivers from text messaging behind the wheel. Another nine states have made it illegal for all drivers to use a hand-held cell phone at the wheel. Florida lawmakers are working diligently to get a law into office to help regulate this dangerous behavior. Until then, drivers are asked to honor roadway safety and voluntarily curb the distractions. We wish everyone a safe and happy holiday season.
If you or your teenage driver has been injured in a car accident in Lake Worth, Martin County, Fort Pierce, Lake Worth, Hollywood, St. Lucie, Sunrise or the surrounding areas, contact a personal injury lawyer at Freeman, Mallard, Sharp & Gonzalez, LLC. Call 1-800-561-7777 for a free consultation with an experienced attorney today.
Additional Resources:
Texting while driving ban for Florida passes Senate transportation committeee, by: Kristal Roberts, ABC Action News
More Blog Entries:
Three Proposed Bills Aim to Curb Distraction-Related Car Accidents in Plantation and Elsewhere, Fort Lauderdale Car Accident Attorney Blog, December 7, 2011
New App Alerting Parents of Their Teen’s Driving Habits Including Car Accidents in Martin County and Elsewhere, Fort Lauderdale Car Accident Attorney Blog, December 2, 2011