Distracted driving is any mental or physical activity that takes the driver’s focus off the primary task of driving. The revised 2011 Florida crash report enables officers to not only report more specific driver distraction data, but also with greater ease, by merely checking one of the following categories: distracted by electronic communication devices (cell phone, etc.), other electronic devices (navigation device, DVD player), other distraction inside the vehicle, external distraction (outside the vehicle), texting, or general inattentiveness. Prior Florida crash reports, still being used in some jurisdictions, merely has “Driver Distracted by:” box with a blank to be filled in by the officer. Collecting this additional, more specific data about the circumstances surrounding distracted driving crashes will enable Florida to develop more targeted distracted driving public outreach and prevention programs.
Effective October 1, 2013, texting while driving became a citable offense in the State of Florida. However, there are no grant funds designated for Distracted Driving Programs at this time. Florida has identified Distracted Driving as one of eight traffic safety priority concerns. There is more information in the Distracted Driving Emphasis
Area of Florida’s 2012 Strategic Highway Safety Plan:
1. Prevention: Education and Enforcement programs aimed at reducing distracted driving.
2. Criminal Justice System Support: Educate law enforcement officers on Florida traffic crash report distracted driving data collection; educate law enforcement, judges and magistrates on the existing laws applicable to distracted driving (careless driving).
3. Communication: Public awareness and education activities targeting at risk demographics and geographic locations.
4. “Put It Down” Proclamation.
At Terrell Hogan, protecting families from unforeseen accidents and personal injury is what we do. Auto accidents in Jacksonville occur every day and can range from minor inconveniences to collisions resulting in major injury and death. We want to help make sure that if you or your loved ones are involved in an automobile accident your rights are protected
Please don’t drive distracted. One text or call can wreck it all.
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