[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Florida residents who will be partying on Halloween or sending their children off to trick-or-treat should know of the real dangers that arise during that night, especially those posed by drunk and reckless drivers. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration states that most people are killed in drunk-driving crashes between 6 p.m. on Oct. 31 and 6 a.m. on Nov. 1.

Between 2012 and 2016, 44 percent of all fatal traffic crashes that occurred within this 12-hour period involved at least one drunk driver. On Halloween night 2016, nearly half of the drunk drivers who caused a crash were between the ages of 21 and 34. To address this risk, the northeast chapter of AAA has offered up some effective safety tips.

For example, AAA suggests that those who drink even one alcoholic beverage will want to designate a sober driver to take them home. Other options are to use public transportation or call up a ride-hailing service. If a friend is drunk, others should take the car keys and arrange for safe transportation home. When driving, it’s important to slow down.

Parents should ensure that their children’s costumes are easy to see at night. If possible, one could make a costume more visible with reflective material and equip children with flashlights. Also, it’s wise to plan a trick-or-treating route. Children younger than 12 should be accompanied by an adult.

Someone who incurs a personal injury through no fault of their own may be eligible for compensation. A personal injury claim could cover losses like medical bills. If the other side was drunk or reckless, the victim could also sue for punitive damages. Auto insurance companies are aggressive in denying payment, though, so a victim (or their parents if they are children) may want to retain a lawyer. The lawyer can negotiate for a settlement and litigate as a last resort.

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[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Distractions are an everyday occurrence and point of concern for anyone behind the wheel or on the road. While driving under the influence still tops the list of contributing factors to car accidents, distracted driving is another point of serious concern for travelers, commuters and passengers in Florida.

Thousands of people die in car accidents due to some form of distraction every year, with hundreds of thousands more impacted by these collisions. What is the solution to these entirely preventable accidents, injuries and deaths? To start, every person on the road needs to know the likely risk factors that can lead to a distracted driving accident as well as some useful reminders to help mitigate these risks.

Common distractions while driving

Perhaps the most obvious and common driving distraction is a cell phone. Most distracted driving accidents involve cell phone use across the board. Distracted driving collisions killed more than 200 people in Florida in 2017, with at least half attributable to cell phone use.

To cut down on cell phone use as a distraction behind the wheel, drivers should consider utilizing a few tips and tools at their disposal. Docking your phone on a dashboard mount can prevent you from becoming distracted by trying to find or hold the device.

Another easy solution is to silence the device or set it to Do Not Disturb mode while operating a vehicle. Apple iPhones come pre-loaded with a Do Not Disturb While Driving feature and users can personalize its settings to fit their everyday needs. Android users can download apps or simply silence a device while driving.

Distractions other than devices

Beyond cell phone use, other major distractions include interacting with passengers, eating, drinking, applying makeup, adjusting the car’s controls and noticing something happening outside the vehicle. While roadway incursions are largely unavoidable, the other factors have simple solutions. Adjust your controls before driving and ask passengers not to disrupt your focus while driving.

It can be difficult to cut out all distractions while driving, but every person can do their part to mitigate the risks of distracted driving accidents. Take precautions and prioritize your focus while behind the wheel.

Accidents involving distracted driving continue to cause life-changing, devastating consequences on the roads in Florida. Victims of these accidents can find justice in pursuing the negligence of a distracted driver as cause for their injuries and distress. As long as drivers continue to let distractions disrupt their driving, these preventable accidents will continue happening.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]