Distracted Driving Crackdown Gains Momentum in Florida Senate
Distracted driving is a serious problem in Florida. According to the Florida Traffic Safety Board, the state saw nearly 700,000 crashes in 2024 alone. Over 14,000 people were seriously injured, and more than 3,000 died. Distracted driving was a leading factor in crashes that caused 2,289 serious injuries and 275 deaths.
To address this problem, a new bill making its way through the Florida State Senate aims to crack down on distracted driving and make the roads safer for everyone. People who’ve lost loved ones to distracted driving say this change is long overdue, including one who lost his 19-year-old son in 2014.
How is the new Florida bill cracking down on distracted driving?
Senate Bill 1318 would rename the current “Florida Ban on Texting While Driving” law to the “Florida Hands-Free Driving Law.” More than renaming the law, this change would expand the rules significantly. If passed, the law would make it illegal to use a phone or other wireless device in your hand while driving. The only exceptions would be to quickly activate or deactivate a function, such as using a hands-free feature or making a voice command.
Right now, Florida only bans texting while driving. That means you can still hold your phone while driving, as long as you're not texting. This bill would change that by making it illegal to even hold your phone or rest it against your body while you’re behind the wheel. Plus, it wouldn’t be a minor violation anymore; it would be a primary offense. This means police would be allowed to pull you over just for using your phone this way.
Has this law worked in other states?
Florida isn’t the first Southern state to look at hands-free driving laws. Georgia passed its own version in 2018, and the results speak for themselves. That year, 65 people died in crashes involving distracted drivers. The next year, that number dropped to 43.
Convictions for distracted driving also jumped. The law gave officers the tools they needed to enforce it. Before the law was passed, Georgia averaged around 4,000 distracted driving convictions each year. Today, they see more than 57,000.
“It reduced the number of fatal crashes in our state,” said Maurice Raines, Deputy Director of the Georgia Governor’s Office of Highway Safety.
The Florida bill still has one more committee stop before it heads to the full Senate for a vote. Supporters say every day counts when lives are on the line. If Florida follows the lead of Georgia and other states, lawmakers and drivers could soon see a noticeable improvement in safety on the road.
What is considered distracted driving?
Most people think of texting when they hear the words “distracted driving,” but the truth is, distraction comes in many forms. Anything that pulls your attention away from the road can be dangerous, even if it only lasts a few seconds. The three main types include visual, manual, and cognitive distractions. Here's what they entail.
Visual distractions
Visual distractions happen anytime you take your eyes off the road. That could mean looking at your phone, glancing at your GPS, checking your reflection in the mirror, or even turning to look at something happening outside the window. It only takes a moment for a car in front to slow down or stop, or for a child to dart into the street.
Manual distractions
Manual distractions are anything that takes your hands off the steering wheel. This includes texting, reaching for an item in your bag, eating, drinking, or adjusting the air conditioning. The problem with manual distractions is that when drivers' hands aren’t fully on the wheel, they're slower to react. Plus, they're not in full control of their vehicles if something unexpected happens.
Cognitive distractions
Cognitive distractions are all about where your mind is. If you're thinking about work, stressed about your day, or having an intense conversation with a passenger, your focus isn’t fully on the task of driving. Even talking hands-free on the phone can split your attention. Your eyes might be on the road, and your hands might be on the wheel, but if your brain is somewhere else, you're not driving at your best.
Evidence a lawyer uses in distracted driving accident claims
The stronger your case, the better your chances of reaching a fair settlement or winning in court. Here are the key types of evidence that can help prove the other driver was distracted and at fault for the crash:
- Police report: If officers believe the other driver was texting, using a phone, or otherwise distracted, they may include that detail in the report. The accident report can help support your version of what happened and serve as a strong piece of evidence for your claim.
- Witness statements: People who saw the crash happen can be valuable witnesses. A bystander might have seen the other driver looking down at their phone or swerving just before impact.
- Cell phone records: If you suspect the other driver was using their phone, their phone records may show calls, texts, or app usage at the exact time of the crash. Your lawyer can request these records through the discovery process if your case goes to court.
- Dashcam or surveillance footage: Video footage is powerful. If you or someone else had a dashcam running, it may show the moment of distraction. In some cases, nearby businesses or homes with security cameras might have captured the crash or the events leading up to it.
- Photos from the scene: Skid marks (or the lack of them), damage to the vehicles, or items found in the car might point to distracted driving. If you were able to take photos of the scene, they could be useful later on.
- Expert analysis: Accident reconstruction experts can study vehicle damage, crash angles, and road conditions to piece together how the collision occurred.
Let our Florida attorneys build a strong case on your behalf
If you were hit and injured by a distracted driver in Florida, you deserve answers and support. The Florida car accident lawyers at the Law Offices of Brent C. Miller, P.A., help people just like you fight back after serious crashes.
Our car accident lawyers have decades of trial experience and know how to build strong cases that get results. We know how to gather the facts to support your claim and take on insurance companies when they refuse to offer a fair settlement.
There’s no pressure and no cost to get the answers you need. To get started, contact us online or call to schedule your free consultation. We have offices in Tavares, Clermont, The Villages, and Inverness. If you’re too injured to come to us, we’ll gladly meet you at your home or hospital. Let our experienced trial attorneys take on the legal stress so you can focus on healing.
"I was grateful for the Law Offices of Brent C. Miller and the way my case was handled. They were very professional and courteous to me." - C.H., ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
