Recent Texting and Driving Cases Factor Into Serious Traffic Safety Problems in Florida
(PRWEB) September 20, 2013 -- The Florida State Safety Office (SSO) has enacted a multi-strategy campaign to reduce the rate of distracted driving, but accidents related to distracted drivers remain at an all time high. Traffic attorney Michael Steinger says distraction not only causes crashes, it can claim lives.
Distracted driving is defined as any activity that takes a driver's attention away from driving, according to the SSO website (09.13.2013). So far the SSO has focused on raising public awareness, backing tougher legislation and increasing law enforcement – treating it as one of the leading threats on the road. While the case is not binding law in Florida, it did make national news, and could be persuasive in Florida courts - See more at: http://www.injurylawyers.com/donttextanddrive
The agency cites a 2010 study in which Floridians were asked to identify “the most serious traffic safety problems in Florida” and more than 60% chose distracted driving. Steinger, the founder of personal injury law firm Steinger, Iscoe & Greene, says they're not wrong.
“Irresponsible use of cell phones has killed people,” Steinger said. “Not a month goes by where our firm doesn't talk to an accident victim who was injured or lost someone due to distracted driving.”
But Steinger says cell phones and texting aren't the only distractions to blame.
“Often it's teenagers who are distracted by their friends in the back seat,” he said. “Even hands-free communication or a GPS device can be a distraction.”
Steinger says he supports the efforts of the state to reduce distracted driving through law enforcement, but he feels that changing driver behavior starts with the individual.
“It's when you choose not to answer your phone, and you don't ride with people who do, that you create change,” he said. “It's also a way to protect yourself. The less distracted you are, the more likely you are to avoid a collision with someone who is distracted.”
About Steinger, Iscoe & Greene:
Steinger, Iscoe & Greene is a proven legal team whose number one goal is to get South Florida injury victims every dollar they truly deserve. Since 1997, the firm’s lawyers have successfully handled cases that have included: auto accidents, bicycle accidents, birth injuries and medical malpractice. The entire legal team is committed to representing and fighting for injury victims’ best interests, giving each client insight into Florida law and their rights.
Steinger, Iscoe & Greene is a legal team with more than 30 lawyers and 130 legal professionals. Offices are located in Miami, Fort Lauderdale, West Palm Beach, Port St Lucie, Okeechobee, Ft Myers, and Orlando. Steinger, Iscoe & Greene also offers the No Fee Guarantee®, which means “you don’t owe us any money unless we get money for you.”
Steinger, Iscoe & Greene
1645 Palm Beach Lakes Boulevard
Ninth Floor
West Palm Beach, Florida 33401
Shaw Heydt, Steinger, Iscoe & Greene, http://www.injurylawyers.com, 1-800-560-5059, [email protected]
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