[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BlogPosting","@id":"https:\/\/www.zimmetzimmet.com\/blog\/florida-study-shows-that-distracted-driving-laws-save-motorcyclists-lives\/#BlogPosting","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/www.zimmetzimmet.com\/blog\/florida-study-shows-that-distracted-driving-laws-save-motorcyclists-lives\/","headline":"Florida Study Shows that Distracted Driving Laws Save Motorcyclists\u2019 Lives","name":"Florida Study Shows that Distracted Driving Laws Save Motorcyclists\u2019 Lives","description":"Every year, distracted driving kills more than 3,400 people. Sadly, a majority of these fatalities are caused by drivers using their cellphones while driving. Just how many people use handheld devices while driving? In 2016, 481,000 passenger vehicles were driven by people using a handheld cell phone each day. Sadly, many of those fatalities were...","datePublished":"2019-01-11","dateModified":"2025-01-06","author":{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/www.zimmetzimmet.com\/blog\/author\/zimmet\/#Person","name":"Zimmet & Zimmet","url":"https:\/\/www.zimmetzimmet.com\/blog\/author\/zimmet\/","identifier":8,"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/3010bdac5ced5112b2840e84f5233c0b7d763a33cb3d5b6de07a5a4b44884d69?s=96&d=mm&r=g","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/3010bdac5ced5112b2840e84f5233c0b7d763a33cb3d5b6de07a5a4b44884d69?s=96&d=mm&r=g","height":96,"width":96}},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Zimmet & Zimmet","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/www.zimmetzimmet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/footer-logo-blue.svg","url":"https:\/\/www.zimmetzimmet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/footer-logo-blue.svg","width":0,"height":0}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/www.zimmetzimmet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/florida-study-shows-that-distracted-driving-laws-save-motorcyclists-lives.jpg","url":"https:\/\/www.zimmetzimmet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/florida-study-shows-that-distracted-driving-laws-save-motorcyclists-lives.jpg","height":400,"width":600},"url":"https:\/\/www.zimmetzimmet.com\/blog\/florida-study-shows-that-distracted-driving-laws-save-motorcyclists-lives\/","about":["Motorcycle Accidents"],"wordCount":617,"articleBody":"Every year, distracted driving kills more than 3,400 people. Sadly, a majority of these fatalities are caused by drivers using their cellphones while driving. Just how many people use handheld devices while driving? In 2016, 481,000 passenger vehicles were driven by people using a handheld cell phone each day. Sadly, many of those fatalities were motorcyclists who lack the physical protection necessary to survive the forces of a\u00a0distracted driving crash.However, a new study published by researchers from Florida Atlantic University and the University of Miami found that banning the use of mobile phones and handheld devices while driving actually reduced motorcycle fatality rates. To conduct the study, researchers gathered and analyzed data for all fifty states from 2005 and 2015. In particular, they reviewed motorcycle fatality rates from the Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS). The authors of the study determined that states with moderate to strict cellphone bans actually had an 11% lower motorcycle fatality rate compared to states with no bans.Florida Cell Phone Laws Most Permissive in NationWhat about Florida\u2019s cell phone laws? Unfortunately, Florida has some of the most permissive cell phone laws in the nation. In fact, Florida is one of only seven states where driving while texting is not a primary offense for all drivers. It is also one of 12 states with no cell phone ban on novice drivers. Florida also does not ban the use of hand-held phones at all.As of Jan 2019, texting and driving in Florida is only a secondary offense. That means that a police officer cannot stop and ticket a driver for texting while driving, they must have been pulled over for a different driving-related offense. While bills to toughen Florida\u2019s cell phone laws have been filed in the past, they never made it through the House and Senate. Recently, however, a new bill was filed by Sen. Wilton Simpson, R-Trilby. This bill would not only make texting a primary offense, but it would prohibit talking on a cellphone without a hands-free device in the car. If it passes, it could make Florida\u2019s roads safer virtually overnight.Motorcycle Fatality Rates Over the DecadesThe last several decades have seen rapid improvement in the way cars are built. They now come equipped with crash avoidance systems, airbags, and a variety of other safety features. As such, automobile safety has improved drastically. Motorcycle safety, however, has not and motorcycle fatalities have not declined.In accidents, motorcyclists do not have protection from the forces of the crash. As such, they suffer the majority of the injuries when they are in a collision with a motor vehicle. In addition, due to the sheer size and weight discrepancy of the two vehicles, motorcyclists not only suffer more injuries, they suffer more severe injuries. The majority of the injuries a motorcyclist faces after a crash are life-threatening and many result in permanent disability.Have You Been Injured in a Florida Motorcycle Accident?If you\u2019ve been injured in a motorcycle accident in Daytona Beach, Florida, it is important to speak to a skilled and compassionate motorcycle accident lawyer as soon as possible. At Zimmet & Zimmet, our experienced\u00a0Daytona Beach motorcycle accident lawyers\u00a0have extensive experience representing injured motorcycle crash victims.\u00a0Contact us today\u00a0for a free initial consultation and review of your case. Call\u00a0386-255-6400\u00a0or fill out our confidential contact form and someone will call you back!Additional ReadingWhy are Motorcycle Accidents So Common in FloridaDangers of Texting and Driving in FloridaHave you been injured in an accident or fall? Do You have question and want to know your legal options. Call 386-255-6400\u00a0for a free consultation and remember there is NO FEE unless WE Win."},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Blog","item":"https:\/\/www.zimmetzimmet.com\/blog\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Florida Study Shows that Distracted Driving Laws Save Motorcyclists\u2019 Lives","item":"https:\/\/www.zimmetzimmet.com\/blog\/florida-study-shows-that-distracted-driving-laws-save-motorcyclists-lives\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]