Every driver in Florida is liable to become distracted now and then. It’s not just calling and texting that cause distraction; anything, in fact, that takes one’s eyes from the road, one’s mind off driving or one’s hands off the steering wheel can constitute a distraction. This includes adjusting the radio or climate controls, eating and drinking, smoking and talking with a passenger.

Drug abuse and alcohol intoxication also contribute to inattention and hamper one’s ability to judge what they see ahead of them rightly. The same can be said for sleep deprivation and multitasking. Because of distracted driving, 2,841 people died in crashes in 2018, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Avoiding distracted driving is not complicated, but it can be difficult. Drivers should first of all put their phone out of sight, silencing all notifications. That way, they resist the temptation to grab the phone, but at the same time, they can use it for emergencies.

Before they even enter the car, drivers should eat, apply their make-up, comb their hair and so on. Once inside the car, they should adjust the temperature settings and load their playlist. Music should not be loud. When drivers are tired, they should pull over and get out for a stretch. On long trips, they could take short naps.

Distracted driving is one of the most widespread forms of negligent driving: more widespread than official figures may suggest since oftentimes, it can go unreported. Those who are injured at the hands of a distracted driver may have little evidence unless that driver was using the phone, so it may be wise for them to hire a lawyer for help with their claim. The lawyer may have third-party investigators and medical experts to assist as well.

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