Distracted driving is one of the leading causes of fatal car accidents in Miami and in the US. According to the Florida Department of Transportation, 48,500 car crashes in Miami in 2020 resulted from distracted driving. It means there are approximately 130 car crashes daily in Florida, which is a cause for concern, especially for anyone using the roads and highways. Due to the alarming car crash rates in Miami, the Florida government is pushing its efforts to educate drivers about the dangers of distracted driving, along with other causes of car crashes. Any number is too high in terms of car crashes, so taking steps to prevent them from happening is crucial in keeping everyone safe.

This guide explores the role that distracted driving plays in the alarming rate of car crashes in Miami and ways to prevent them.

 

What is Distracted Driving?

Distracted driving is any activity that takes the driver’s attention away from the road. Any distraction can increase the risk of car crashes because it prevents the driver from reacting to changes in the traffic flow, thus resulting in car collisions or hitting pedestrians or cyclists. 

Distractions can take one of three forms. The first one is a visual distraction. A distraction prompts a driver to take their eyes off the road. One example is when a driver uses their cell phone to compose and send a text message. When writing a text message, you take the focus away from the road and instead direct your attention to the mobile device. Even using a navigation system is another example of a visual distraction. When you are looking at the navigation map, you can’t see the road.

Another type of distraction that could cause car crashes in Miami is manual distraction. Manual distraction occurs when you take your hands off the wheel. It is crucial to keep your hands on the wheel to prevent your vehicle from veering off your lane. Taking your hands off the wheel to text, call, or eat while driving is highly dangerous and increases the possibility of a car crash.

And the final type of distraction when driving is cognitive distraction. It is when you take your focus away from driving, which is a task that requires concentration and cognitive function. For example, many drivers think talking to someone on the phone with a hands-free setup can be safe when driving. Talking on the phone (even with a hands-free device) can distract you, your passengers, and other motorists or pedestrians. 

Knowing the common distracting driving behaviors will help you avoid them and reduce the dangers of distracted driving. These include:

  • Texting
  • Talking on the phone
  • Eating
  • Controlling in-vehicle infotainment systems
  • Navigating a map
  • Reading a paper
  • Drowsy driving

Why is Distracted Driving a Big Deal?

Distracted driving is a big deal because of the safety risks. Since many of the behaviors listed above are so common, most drivers do not even think they are being distracted from their driving tasks. 

For example, your phone rings while you’re driving, and you pick it up to answer the call. Putting the call on speaker won’t reduce the risk of distracted driving. Talking to someone while driving can take your focus away from the road, which prevents you from being fully aware of your surroundings. For this reason, it increases the risk of a car accident.

Drivers must understand that any distraction, no matter how small, puts not only their lives at risk but also their passengers, other drivers, and pedestrians. Eliminating distractions is vital to give your 100% focus on driving. 

 

Recognizing Signs of Distracted Driving

Distracted driving manifests itself through dangerous actions that put everyone’s lives at risk, including the driver. Recognizing the signs of distracted driving is a crucial step in preventing accidents and keeping Miami’s roads safer.

Erratic or inconsistent driving is a common sign of distracted driving. Sudden braking or frequent lane changes are highly dangerous, which makes them a tell-tale sign that the driver is distracted. Drivers preoccupied with other tasks do not realize that they are going out of their lanes or driving too closely to another vehicle because they are distracted by other activities. Also, they tend to have delayed reactions or miss crucial road signs. 

Physical indicators of distracted driving include having one hand off the wheel or a driver looking down to pick something up. Drivers must always keep both hands on the wheel when driving, allowing them to react to any sudden changes in traffic flow. When a driver takes one hand off the wheel, it prevents them from responding promptly to traffic changes.

Cyclists, pedestrians, and other drivers must be aware of these signs, as they indicate a lack of awareness of the concerned driver. You can maintain a safe distance or apply defensive driving measures to avoid colliding with these vehicles or exposing others to risks. 

Signs of distracted driving.

 

Distracted Driving and Car Crashes in Miami

Miami is a bustling city. It is a top tourist destination and is widely known for its nightlife. In addition, the city is densely populated, and the heavy traffic exacerbates the existing road risks.

The major Miami roads and highways see heavy vehicle traffic daily. Some notable highways and intersections are hotspots for traffic congestion, increasing the risk of car crashes.

And since the influx of nightlife venues and bars, Miami’s risk of car crashes has grown exponentially. Many drivers figure in car crashes due to distracted driving and driving under the influence of alcohol. This alarming scenario, the influx of tourists, and the high volume of vehicles make Miami roads a recipe for disaster.

Understanding the unique challenges of Miami’s busy roads and highways is integral to the quest to reduce car crashes due to distracted driving.

 

Important Car Accident Statistics Due to Distracted Driving

These alarming car accident statistics in Miami highlight the urgency of addressing distracted driving and other causes of car crashes

  • Nine people die in car crashes resulting from distracted driving in the US daily. (Source)
  • About 20% of victims who sustained injuries due to distracted driving were not in vehicles when the incident occurred. They were either walking or riding a bike. (Source)
  • From 2010-2019, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reported about 3,000 deaths annually due to distracted driving. (Source)
  • Young adult and teen drivers are the most common demographic of drivers involved in distracted driving accidents. (Source)
  • There were 3,118 fatal car crashes in Florida in 2023. This was slightly down from the previous year (2022), with 3,327 fatal car crashes. (Source)
  • In 2023, over 163,000 injuries in Florida resulted from car crashes. (Source)

How to Combat Distracted Driving

How do you prevent distracted driving? Follow these tips on proper driving behaviors to ensure everyone’s safety in Miami.

Implement Anti-Distracted Driving Laws

Enforcing stricter laws to penalize distracted driving behaviors is one way to discourage this behavior. Whether it’s steeper fines and penalties, the laws exist to deter risky behaviors. While further studies should be conducted to assess the effectiveness of these laws, high-visibility monitoring ensures that drivers observe the law and refrain from distracted behaviors.

Technological Solutions

Nowadays, there is an app for almost everything. Take advantage of technological solutions to prevent distracted driving. Block the notifications of your phone or put it on mute while driving to avoid the temptation to look at your phone whenever you get a notification. You are less likely to check the notifications or read incoming messages when you are unaware of any activity on your cell phone.

Better yet, you can use apps that send automated replies or messages. These technologies reduce manual distractions and promote hands-free device use. 

Plan Your Trip

Texting or talking on the phone are not the only distracted driving behaviors you must be aware of. Using the navigation system of your car can be just as distracting. 

Planning your route before you leave can help you avoid distraction while driving. Set your GPS to your desired location and activate voice command. This eliminates the need to program the navigation of your car while you’re driving, allowing you to focus on driving.

Keep Phone Out of Sight

As mentioned above, it is in your best interest to keep your phone out of sight when driving. Even if you have blocked notifications or have your phone on mute, being able to reach it means you can check it during traffic stops. Instead, put it in your bag or somewhere you cannot see it to avoid the temptation to check your phone.

Set Up a Playlist

If you like listening to music while driving, setting up a music playlist before you leave is essential. It prevents you from tinkering with the infotainment system while driving, which takes away focus. Therefore, you can enjoy your music without worrying about manually operating the infotainment system of your car. 

Avoid Mental Distractions

Distracted driving is not just about using your phone or talking with passengers. Mental distractions can also be a culprit for distracted driving. Daydreaming or being lost in your thoughts can be just as distracting, if not more dangerous. 

Resting or meditating can eliminate mental distractions. It is essential to clear your mind of other thoughts. If you feel your mind beginning to wander, pull over and take a moment to refocus. 

Florida and Miami Campaigns vs. Distracted Driving

The Florida and Miami city governments have taken measures to limit the impact of distracted driving. The first one is the Put It Down Distracted Driving Campaign by the Florida Department of Transport (FDOT). This campaign was specifically launched for South Florida roads, including the Miami-Dade and Monroe counties.

The Put It Down Distracted Driving Campaign has banned texting and driving. It is now illegal to text while driving in Florida, including Miami. It is part of the Florida Department of Transportation’s effort to educate drivers about the dangers of distracted driving and force them to observe defensive driving behaviors.

This Florida law states that all drivers in Miami are prohibited from operating a motor vehicle when typing or entering characters or symbols into their cell phones or any wireless communication devices. This law covers all activities mentioned, including texting, e-mailing, and using instant messaging apps.

However, the Florida government is not the only one taking steps to resolve the alarming cases of distracted driving in Miami. AT&T, a major telecommunications company, has also launched its ‘It Can Wait’ Campaign. This campaign included a promotional video showing drivers looking at their phones and then crashing their vehicles.

Florida distracted driving law.

This campaign echoes the strong message behind the dangers of distracted driving. However, the FDOT has stepped up their campaign not just to isolate texting or calling. They also advocate refraining from other distracting activities, such as eating, talking to someone within your vehicle, or applying makeup while driving, as equally dangerous behaviors. 

FDOT officials say texting can take your eyes off the road for 4.6 seconds. And when you are driving 55 miles per hour, it’s driving the entire football field with your eyes closed. At such a distance, you could potentially hit another vehicle or pedestrians. 

 

Final Thoughts on Distracted Driving

Distracted driving is a menace on the road. This dangerous behavior should be eliminated completely to prevent car accidents on Miami roads. It endangers the lives of motorists and pedestrians while also straining local resources.

While Miami continues to be a bustling hub of tourist and economic activity, it’s crucial to take added precautions to curb the risks and make Miami’s roads safer. Addressing the issue of distracted driving requires a collective effort. The Miami government and Florida officials have launched a public awareness campaign on the dangers of distracted driving while promoting proper driving techniques. It’s time for drivers to take heed and take personal accountability to prevent being another number in the car crash statistics.