Florida Injury Lawyer Blog
South Florida support for preventing serious injury and wrongful death in car accidents caused by distracted drivers could result in a new law banning cell phone use by drivers.
Florida car accident lawyers and personal injury and wrongful death attorneys in Southwest Florida represent hundreds of motorists who are injured or killed each year as a result of distracted driving.
“Stay Alive … Just Drive!” has announced a joint agreement with “Safety as Floridians Expect,” (SAFE), supporting a state and federal ban on text messaging while driving.
The partnership moves all of South Florida to the forefront in the fight against distracted driving. “Stay Alive … Just Drive,” is a driver-safety and awareness organization founded by retired Fort Myers-area paramedic Jay Anderson in Southwest Florida. SAFE is a fast-growing Southeast Florida based education and advocacy group.
Both the Florida House and the Florida Senate are debating measures that would ban text messaging and/or cell phone use by drivers.
There’s a multitude of bills in the House and the Senate,” Anderson said. “Based on what’s happened across the country, there is an increased awareness of the dangers, especially the text messaging. I think we have an opportunity to join other states and it’s long overdue.”
If adopted, Anderson said Florida would join five other states that ban cell phone use by drivers, including New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Washington, California and Washington, D.C.
Anderson said the time has come to get real about cell phone use by drivers.
“Realistically, we all have to think about the times it’s just not proper to use your cell phone,” Anderson said. “Operating a motor vehicle is one of those times. A cell phone and texting ban will help protect all those who use our roads.”
SAFE Chairman Jim Smith said it is time for lawmakers to act.
“Text messaging is responsible for many unnecessary deaths on our streets and highways,” Smith said. “The only way it can be stopped is by adopting a law banning driver text messaging. It’s time for legislators to put people’s safety ahead of cell phone lobbyists’ interests.”
If you or someone you love has been seriously injured or killed in a car accident, truck accident or motorcycle accident, there are certain things you can do to help protect your rights. Florida personal injury lawyers and wrongful death attorneys offer free appointments to discuss your rights at offices throughout Southwest Florida, including Fort Myers, Cape Coral, Naples, Arcadia, Port Charlotte, Sebring and Venice.
