Don’t drive distracted, focus on the road – everything else can wait!!!

It should be common knowledge by now that texting while driving is extremely dangerous. In fact, it’s fatal!!!

Let’s be honest…we have all done it one time or another, for what ever reason. With that being said…all it takes is one to be done!!!

So, are you ready to learn the truth about texting and driving?

Take a look at these devastating facts about texting and driving. They will show you that reaching for the phone is never a good idea when you’re driving.

Don’t become another statistic; the text can wait.

America has a dangerous epidemic of texting while driving that strongly increases risk to everyone on the roads. At any given moment, 660,000 drivers are using a cell phone while operating a vehicle. While this is a national problem, here in the state of Florida, on average, there were more than 1,000 distracted driving crashes every week across our state last year according to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) and its division of the Florida Highway Patrol (FHP).

What is distracted driving?

Distracted driving is anything that takes your hands off the wheel, your eyes off the road or mind off driving. It is extremely risky behavior that puts everyone on the road in danger. Here are some examples:

Texting on your phone
Eating and drinking
Talking to people in your vehicle (on the phone or in person)
Changing the music or radio station
Using your navigation system

There are different kinds of driver distractions:

Texting and driving is the most dangerous distraction, because texting requires all three types of distraction. It takes a driver’s attention away from the road for an average of five consecutive seconds. With an average speed of 55 miles per hour, a driver could travel more than the length of an entire football field during those few seconds without looking. Increase the speed, even further yet. Just look at the chart below…

Safety Tips for Driving

If you are expecting a text message or need to send one, pull over and park your car in a safe location. Once you are safely off the road and parked, it is safe to text.
Designate your passenger as your “designated texter.” Allow them access to your phone to respond to calls or messages.
Do not engage in social media scrolling or messaging while driving.
Struggling to not text and drive? Activate your phone’s “Do Not Disturb” feature, or put your cell phone in the trunk, glove box, or back seat of your vehicle until you arrive at your destination.

Put Your Phone Away or Pay

When you get behind the wheel, be an example to your family and friends by putting your phone away. Just because other people do it doesn’t mean texting and driving is “normal” behavior.
In 48 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, texting while driving is an illegal, ticketable offense. You could end up paying a hefty fine and get points on your license.
If you see someone texting while driving, speak up. If your friend is texting while driving, tell them to stop. Listen to your passengers: If they catch you texting while driving and tell you to put your phone away, put it down.

The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles encourages motorists to take the pledge and put their cellphones down while driving. The “Put it Down” initiative challenges motorists to keep the roads safe for all Floridians and those who visit our state.

More than 56,000 distracted driving crashes happened last year in Florida alone, and 75% of those crashes were caused by the driver being inattentive behind the wheel. To help keep Florida’s roadways safe, FLHSMV asks motorists to avoid distracted driving. Take the pledge and Put it Down while behind the wheel.

Please join me in taking the pledge to “Put It Down” in order to ensure not only your safety, but the safety of others. Together we can be sure everyone can arrive alive!!!

Tune into 770 AM, 98.1 FM, and 104.3 FM on Wednesday 06/08/2022, Thursday 06/09/2022, and Friday 06/10/2022 between 7-10 pm to as I pledge to support texting safety.

Stay safe!!!