According to the insurance website The Zebra, who surveyed 2,000 Americans, they found that distracted driving is a problem. 37% of those surveyed aged 18 to 34 said that they felt a high degree of pressure to respond to work-related messages while driving. One in three females admitted to taking photos while driving. Distracted driving has almost become synonymous with driving while texting or browsing on a cell phone. Distracted driving causes more than 9 fatalities each day in the United States. Teens are the most affected, with 58% of teenage driving accidents being caused by distracted driving.
Previously, the Florida Distracted Driving Law only prohibited texting while driving. Beginning on October 1st, drivers cannot legally be holding their cell phones for any reason. This includes using navigation apps. The legislation especially gives attention to distracted driving in school and work zones.
Since their son, Logan, who was 9, was killed by a distracted driver in 2016, Brooke and Jordan Scherer have been advocating for stricter distracted driving laws through their Living For Logan Foundation.
While traveling to Ocala on Interstate-75, the Scherers were slammed into from behind by a driver going 100 m.p.h. Logan was killed instantly. The driver had been distracted at the time of the accident.
Under the new law, a driver caught with a cell phone in their hands in a work or school zone will face a $60 fine and receive 3 points on their license. The Scherers say that the law is still not enough, but it is a step in the right direction.
