South Florida Injury Attorney Blog

A new study by the University of Utah confirms what Florida car accident lawyers have known all along: Talking on the phone while driving is more dangerous than talking to a passenger. The study used drivers between the ages of 18 and 26, using a sophisticated driving simulator that mimicked highway traffic conditions. The drivers were divided into three groups: Drivers using a hands-free headset to talk on the phone, drivers talking to a “passenger” in the next seat and drivers who didn’t talk at all. All three groups were instructed to leave the highway at a specific exit, and the talkers were asked to tell their conversation partners about a near-death experience they’d had.

The results: About half of the drivers who were talking on the phone missed their exits, while only one-eighth of those with passengers did. (The study found no substantial differences between drivers talking with passengers and silent drivers.) Speaking to the Washington Post, the study’s authors suggested that this could be attributed to “inattention blindness,” in which the brain literally cannot process as much visual information because it’s performing another cognitive task. In a separate press release, they also suggested that talking on the phone could limit a driver’s memory of which exit to take. And they pointed out that a passenger present in the car can drop or change the conversation to help the driver focus, which may also be a factor.

The state of Florida doesn’t currently have any laws forbidding drivers from talking on the phone, either with a handset or with a hands-free headset, although some lawmakers have considered it. But even if there’s no ticket or criminal penalty, talking on the phone while driving could still harm drivers involved in a Florida auto accident lawsuit. If research like this continues to show that drivers on the phone are actually impaired, it could be strong evidence in court that the driver was behaving carelessly or recklessly. And if that’s proven, drivers who were using a phone or other device during an accident could face substantial legal liability.

Perhaps even more importantly, hanging up the phone while you drive can help you avoid being part of a serious auto accident in South Florida. Car crashes cause deaths and very serious injuries, including brain damage, spinal injuries and serious burns that can cause lifelong scars. If hanging up for 30 minutes can help avoid these kinds of tragedy, I believe that’s a sacrifice worth making. If you or someone you care about was involved in a serious Florida auto accident caused by someone else’s carelessness, you have the right to hold that person legally and financially responsible for the results. For a free consultation with the experienced attorneys at Cohn, Smith & Cohn, please contact us today.