Cell Phones and Driving: A Dangerous Combination

Cell Phones and Driving: A DANGEROUS COMBINATION The Dangers of DISTRACTED DRIVING + 34% of drivers of all ages text while driving Drivers 18-29 68% text while driving access the Web while driving 50 40 33% I access social media networks while driving update social media networks while driving 20 10 → About 28% of That's about 1.6 million car crashes per year all crashes involve • cell phone use Cell phone calls are involved in 12 times as many crashes as texting More people use their phones for calls than for texting while driving 1.4 million auto accidents per year involve cell phone calls At least 200,000 crashes per year involve texting About 50% of people support banning cell phone use while driving CELL PHONES AND 3Florida Drivers Using a cell phone while driving is legal in Florida, but: Distracted driving is one of the leading causes of crashes in Florida There were 17,090 auto accidents in Orange County, FL in 2010 Cell phone car safety tips X Safe driving should be your number one priority If talking while driving affects your concentration, don't do it • Pull over if you need to answer or make a call X Use a hands-free device • Manual and visual distractions can lead to dangerous driving · Keep the device and your phone within easy reach X Give yourself a limit • Long, involved conversations often lead to trouble • If the conversation lasts more than a few minutes, tell the person you will call them back when you've arrived at your destination X Use common sense · Don't use your phone while driving in bad weather or heavy traffic • Don't use your phone if you are unsure of where you are going -If you are the victim of a distracted driving accident: Don't leave the accident scene Report the accident to the police Find any witnesses who saw that the other driver was distracted Contact a car accident attorney Seek medical attention Provided by: Sources: www.nsc.org/Pages/NSCestimates16millionerashescaused bydriversusingcellphonesandtexting.aspx www.iii.org/media/hottopics/insurance/cellphones/ www.dmvflorida.org/car-accident.shtml www.dmvflorida.org/cell-phone-distractions.shtml www.filhsmv.gov/hsmvdocs/CS2010.pdf THE MDJD.cOM The Law Ofices of Michael Barszcz, M.D.,J.D. www.personalinjuryattorneyorlando-themdjd.com