South Florida Injury Lawyers Blog

Drowsy driving is the cause of a significant number of Palm Beach car accidents and traffic accidents throughout South Florida. In fact, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimated at least 100,000 traffic accidents are the direct result of fatigued driving each year.

The government estimates these crashes lead to more than 1,550 traffic deaths and 71,000 injuries each year, though any accurate estimate is difficult for a number of reasons, including lack of reporting requirements. In countries with better reporting, including England and Australia, drowsy driving is responsible for as many as 30 percent of all crashes.

Our Palm Beach injury lawyers encourage drivers to remain aware of the dangers of driving while tired and urge you to follow the necessary safety precautions while behind the wheel.

The National Sleep Foundation provides the following information for motorists:

Scope: Sixty percent of drivers, or about 168 million people, admit to driving while drowsy within the last year. One-third acknowledge having fallen asleep while behind the wheel.

At Risk: The most at-risk drivers are those ages 18 to 29. Men are more likely to drive while drowsy than women and are almost twice as likely to fall asleep at the wheel. Shift workers are also at high risk, as well as those who sleep less than 6-7 hours a night. Impaired drivers and drivers with sleeping disorders are also at increased risk of falling asleep behind the wheel.

Other Drowsy Driving Facts:

-Drivers who are drowsy are more likely to experienced stress, get impatient or drive faster.

-Only about 1 in 5 drivers admitted to pulling over when experiencing sleepiness while behind the wheel.

-Drivers tend to fall asleep more on high-speed, long, boring, rural highways.

-Most accidents or near-accidents occur between 4 and 6 a.m. Midnight to 4 a.m. are also peak times.

-One-quarter of adults say they know someone who has crashed while falling asleep at the wheel.

Continue reading "Drowsy driving a cause of car accidents throughout South Florida, including West Palm and Fort Lauderdale" »

Planning a road trip this summer? Then don't forget to pack a list of state and local regulations regarding text messaging and using a cell phone while behind the wheel. Currently, Florida and South Carolina are the only two states without laws aimed at reducing the dangers of traffic accidents caused by text messaging and cell phone use.

Our Port St. Lucie injury lawyers urge drivers considering a summer road trip to know the rules of the road. And we remind you that the best way to ensure compliance with whatever law happens to be in effect -- as well as the safety of you and your passengers -- is to refrain from text messaging or using a cell phone while driving.

MSNBC reports that the patchwork of laws enacted in recent years will leave those on a road trip open to fines ranging from $20 to $150. In every case, knowledge of the law is the motorist's responsibility.

“Drivers are still responsible for knowing the cell phone laws that apply in each state," said AAA spokesperson Nancy White.

In some states, motorists may be subjected to more than one law. For example, Illinois outlaws text messaging while driving but the City of Chicago prohibits all use of hand-held cell phones.

Florida is one of the only states -- perhaps the only state -- that has both failed to pass a distracted driving law and passed legislation prohibiting city and county governments from enacting their own safety measures.

The Governors Highway Safety Association provides a comprehensive list of distracted driving laws in each state:

-Eight states ban the use of hand-held cell phones: California, Connecticut, Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Oregon and Washington.

-Twenty-eight states ban the use of cell phones by young drivers.

-Thirty states ban text messaging while driving.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that 6,000 people are killed and more than 500,000 are injured in distracted driving accidents each year. Cell phone use and text messaging are responsible for a large number of the crashes. Other forms of distracted driving include eating, drinking, smoking, talking to passengers, grooming, applying makeup, reading or using in-car electronics.

Continue reading "State has no law aimed at reducing Florida car accidents caused by distracted driving; but travelers beware" »

Sixteen motorists were killed over the Fourth of July Holiday, according to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, which reported that authorities issued almost 10,000 citations.

As our Port St. Lucie injury lawyers and Fort Pierce accident attorneys reported just before the holiday, a total of 30 motorists were killed in Florida traffic accidents during last year's Fourth of July celebration.

Holiday enforcement effort:
-Total Citations: 9.334
-DUI Arrests: 100
-Speeding: 3,404
-Seat belt tickets: 1,102
-Motorist assists: 2,686
-Fatalities: 16

Drunk driving and speeding are the two primary factors in serious and fatal accidents. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that two-thirds of all fatal traffic accidents involve either alcohol or speed.

As we reported on our South Florida Injury Lawyers Blog, just-released data show the fatal accident rate in Florida fell to an all-time low last year. As South Florida heads toward Labor Day and the winter tourist season, authorities are urging drivers to practice safe driving habits and help reduce the risk of serious or fatal traffic accidents.

“The Florida Highway Patrol works hard to ensure residents and visitors make it safely to their destinations,” said Col. John Czernis. “For us, that means putting additional troopers on the roadways to deter and to stop motorists who drive illegally and without regard to others’ safety. FHP does not tolerate risky behavior, such as drinking and driving, and neither should you."

Motorists who are concerned about an unsafe driver on the highway can contact the highway patrol by dialing *FHP (*347).

Continue reading "Fourth of July continues trend of safer Florida roads; reducing South Florida car accidents a goal through remainder of summer" »

Our West Palm Beach injury lawyers continue to look at the accident data recently released by the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles.

As we reported on our South Florida Injury Lawyers Blog, fatal Florida traffic accidents reached a new low in 2009, claiming 2,563 lives compared to the 2,983 motorists killed on the road in 2008.

But just looking at the number of fatal accidents tells only part of the story. More than 100 motorists were seriously injured for every motorist killed in a Florida car accident. And, while the number of fatal accident decreased by 14 percent, the overall number of accidents dropped slightly in many areas. And the number of St. Lucie car accidents actually increased.

Florida traffic accidents by county:

Broward County traffic accidents: 25,957 in 2009 compared to 26,417 in 2008.

Miami-Dade County traffic accidents: 42,244 in 2009 compared to 43,376 in 2008.

Palm Beach County traffic accidents: 13,398 in 2009 compared to 13,831 in 2008.

St. Lucie County traffic accidents: 2,336 in 2009 compared to 2,288 in 2008.

An injury lawyer in Miami-Dade, Broward, Palm Beach or St. Lucie counties should be consulted when a motorist is involved in a car accident. An experienced accident attorney handles traffic crashes everyday and can assist motorists in determining their rights after a crash. Frequently, medical or legal complications may arise that a motorist would never consider when determining what to do in the wake of an accident. And injuries sustained in a collision may take months or even years to develop. Failure to protect yourself after a crash can impact your ability to collect damages if future medical consequences arise.

Continue reading "Fewer fatalities but high number of injury accidents reported in Miami-Dade, Broward, Palm Beach and St. Lucie counties " »

A flagman was not present at a construction site where three teenagers were killed in a Stuart car accident after colliding with a front-end loader, TCPalm reported.

The information was included this week when the State Attorney's Office finally released data about the Aug. 4 accident that killed three teenage boys in a Jeep Cherokee. The traffic homicide investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol reported that no flagman was present to warn oncoming traffic about the presence of the loader in the roadway.

Troopers had previously reported that all three teenagers were believed to be intoxicated and that the 18-year-old driver had a blood-alcohol level of .251, more than three times the legal limit.

Authorities have determined the operator of the front-end loader had no drugs or alcohol in his system. The operator worked for Sheltra and Son Construction of Indiantown, which was widening Cove Road west of U.S. 1. The front-end loader had dropped a load of dirt on the south shoulder of the road and was stopped in the eastbound lane at the time of the crash.

Troopers who questioned the work crew were told the front-end loader was not required to have a flagman. However, the company was cited by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration for four "serious violations" at the work site. Those citations were for hazards workers were exposed to and were not related to the accident.

Accidents at road construction sites are a common occurrence in Florida, as are accidents anywhere that the normal flow of traffic is interrupted. The fact that these teenagers were reportedly under the influence at the time of the crash certainly complicates matters. But it does not mean their families would not have a wrongful death case against the construction company. If a 40,000 pound piece of machinery had not been parked in the middle of a dark road, the kids may well have made it home safe to their families. A Port St. Lucie injury lawyer should always be contacted when a motorist is seriously injured or killed in a car accidents at a highway construction zone.

Continue reading "No flagman present at fatal highway construction zone car accident in Stuart" »

The Florida Department of Highway Safety has just released a comprehensive look at 2009 traffic safety and this is the first in a series of posts by the South Florida injury lawyers at Freeman & Mallard.

We believe taking a comprehensive look at the data will allow motorists to avoid car accidents in Port St. Lucie, Fort Pierce, Fort Lauderdale, West Palm and the surrounding areas. Knowledge is power and knowing where, when and why accidents are happening can be a powerful tool to help keep you and your family safe on the road.

The good news for motorists is that fatal crashes in Florida dropped to the lowest rate on record last year. The number of fatal accidents decreased 14 percent to 2,563 from the 2,983 fatal crashes reported in 2008.

As the Sun-Sentinel reported, fatal Palm Beach car accidents were down 30 percent, from 198 in 2008 to 151 last year. Fatal Broward County car accidents dropped 20 percent, from 228 to 189.

"While multiple factors influence the numbers, the declining trends are a testament to the emphasis that law enforcement agencies, safety advocates and businesses have placed on saving lives on our roadways," said DHSMV Executive Director Julie L. Jones.

Most advocates cite less traffic and travel amid the downturn in the economy as the primary reason for the reduction.

Other highlights include:

-Alcohol related traffic fatalities declined 14 percent, from 1,169 deaths to 1,004. Note that those statistics still indicate that drunk driving is responsible for more than one-third of all fatal Florida traffic accidents.

-Fatal Florida motorcycle accidents declined by 24 percent, from 532 to 402.

-Fatal Florida bicycle accidents dropped 15 percent, from 118 to 100.

-Pedestrian fatalities in Florida decreased slightly, from 502 to 482.

-Fatal Florida accidents involving teenagers dropped by more than 20 percent, from 193 to 153.

In coming posts, we will take a more in-depth look at these statistics and see what can be learned by motorists that will help keep them safer on the road. Please check back often for updates.

Continue reading "South Florida injury attorneys to examine new data regarding Florida traffic fatalities in 2009" »

Authorities will be out in force over the Fourth of July weekend, looking for drunk drivers and other dangerous motorists in an effort to reduce Fort Lauderdale car accidents and serious and fatal traffic accidents throughout South Florida.

While New Year's frequently gets most of the attention when it comes to drunk driving and dangerous travel, the truth of the matter is that Thanksgiving and the Fourth of July have been the deadliest holidays on the nation's roads in recent years, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Our Fort Lauderdale injury lawyers urge motorists to drive responsibly and allow extra time to reach their destination. Traffic is expected to be heavy throughout the Fort Lauderdale, West Palm and St. Lucie/Fort Pierce areas.

Nationwide fatal holiday traffic accidents in 2008:

New Year's: 104

Memorial Day: 370

Fourth of July: 437

Labor Day: 423

Thanksgiving: 439

Christmas: 364

New Year's Eve: 37

Fatal Florida car accidents occurred most frequently on Thanksgiving and New Years in 2009. But Fourth of July proved third-deadliest, with 30 fatalities. More than half (17) involved alcohol, according to new statistics just released by the Florida Department of Highway Safety.

2009 fatal holiday traffic accidents in Florida:

New Year's: 34

Memorial Day: 22

Fourth of July: 30

Labor Day: 23

Thanksgiving: 36

Christmas: 28

AAA South has announced a "Tow to Go" program through the holiday weekend. Available Friday through Monday, the program offers rides and tows home from bars or restaurants to members and nonmembers alike.

"No one intends to be a drunk driver, it just happens, whether they've had way too many drinks or just one too many," said Ed Schatzman, senior vice president, Automotive Services, AAA Auto Club South. "Call volume steadily increases every Independence Day weekend and we are happy to get as many drunk drivers off the road as possible so everyone on the road can get home safely to their families."

Those in need of a ride can call 1-800-AAA-HELP.

AAA also encourages motorists to:

-Select a designated driver before going out to celebrate with friends.

-Program the numbers for several cab companies into your cell phone.

-Always keep some extra cash for a cab ride when you need it.

Continue reading "Fort Lauderdale car accidents a danger over Fourth of July Holiday" »

A Fort Lauderdale scooter accident claimed the life of a rider on Tuesday night when a Jeep Grand Cherokee reportedly collided with the scooter while making a left turn at an intersection, the Sun-Sentinel reported.

The accident happened about 8:30 p.m. at the intersection of Davie Boulevard and Southeast Third Avenue. The 2010 Jeep was making a left turn onto Third when it collided with the 2008 KNRO Scooter, which was westbound on Davie Boulevard. The rider was pronounced dead at Broward General Medical Center.

Scooter and motorcycle accidents are a common danger in the Fort Lauderdale area and throughout Florida. As we reported recently on our South Florida Injury Lawyers Blog, more fatal motorcycle accidents occur in California and Florida than anywhere else in the nation. In 2008, a total of 523 riders were killed in Florida accidents, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Federal statistics show that more than half of all accidents are caused by motorists. Frequent causes include a motorist turning in front of a rider or failing to yield the right-of-way. Rider inexperience is another common cause and anyone injured on a rented motorcycle or scooter should contact a Fort Lauderdale injury lawyer to discuss their rights.

MotorWorks offers the following scooter safety tips:

-Wear bright reflective clothing and a helmet.

-Avoid riding in another motorist's blind spot.

-Obey the speed limit and never driver faster than your skills or weather conditions allow.

-Signal well before you turn or make a lane change. Consider using hand signals in addition to electronic turn signals.

-Use extra caution at intersections and entrances to parking lots and driveways -- don't let another motorist's actions take you by surprise.

-Keep both hands on the handlebars and both feet in appropriate locations while riding.

-Never leave a scooter unattended with the engine running.

-Reduce speed when riding on bumpy roads.

-Be especially aware of traffic behind you. Different speeds can lead to a rear-end collision.

-Don't rely on mirrors, which allow for only a partial view. Be aware of blind spots.

Continue reading "Fatal Fort Lauderdale scooter accident reportedly caused by careless motorist" »

State officials report that Florida traffic deaths have reached an all-time low. When the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles and the Florida Department of Transportation release the state's detailed traffic reports later this summer, the results will likely show fewer car accidents in Fort Lauderdale, West Palm Beach and Port St. Lucie/Fort Pierce.

Fatal Florida traffic accidents declined to 2,563 in 2009, nearly a 1,000 fewer than the 3,533 recorded in 2005. The 9 percent decline from the 2,983 deaths reported in 2008 brings the fatality rate to 1.3 deaths per 100 million miles traveled, the lowest rate ever recorded in Florida.

“The safety of our residents and visitors is a top priority, and reducing fatalities on our roadways is a step in the right direction,” said Florida Governor Charlie Crist. “I commend our safety advocates and law enforcement officers who ensure that Florida remains a safe place to work and play.”

Officials touted increased safety efforts, including the state's new primary enforcement seat belt law, while acknowledging fewer visitors and the economic downturn also played an important role.

The entire report for 2009 will be released later this summer. Meanwhile our Fort Lauderdale injury lawyers share some key facts from the 2008 report:

-Florida drunk driving accidents claimed 1,169 lives.
-Motorcycle accidents killed 532 riders and 8,519 were injured.
-118 riders were killed in bicycle accidents and 4,380 were injured.
-Pedestrian accidents resulted in 502 deaths and 7,878 injuries.
-A total of 193 teen drivers and passengers died in car accidents.

-A total of 346,610 drivers were involved in 243,342 crashes, or an average of 665 crashes per day. Those figures mean that a traffic accident occurs every two minutes somewhere in Florida.

-More than 111,000 people were injured, including almost 24,000 who suffered incapacitating injuries -- 25 people are seriously injured in a Florida car accident for every person who is killed.

Most frequent causes of fatal Florida traffic accidents:
-Careless Driving: 504 fatalities.
-Alcohol Use: 428 fatalities.
-Failure to Yield: 250 fatalities.
-Left of Center: 161 fatalities.
-Excessive Speed: 161 fatalities.

Traffic Accidents by County:
-Miami-Dade: 43,376
-Broward: 26,417
-Palm Beach: 13,831
-St. Lucie: 2,288

Continue reading "Fewer car accidents expected in Fort Lauderdale, West Palm Beach, Port St. Lucie" »

Distracted driving is a leading cause of West Palm Beach car accidents and traffic accidents throughout South Florida. Now, the National Safety Council has pulled together a report that compiles more than 30 studies looking at the dangers -- giving us one of the first comprehensive looks into just how dangerous it has become.

Distracted driving joins alcohol and speeding as the leading causes of serious and fatal car accidents. As we reported on our South Florida Injury Lawyers Blog, 1,169 people died in Florida drunk driving accidents in 2008.

Authorities continue to focus on the dangers of cell-phone use and text messaging while driving as a primary threat to motorist safety.

“Cell phone use while driving has become a serious public health threat,” said Janet Froetscher, NSC president and CEO. “Several states and municipalities have passed legislation allowing hands-free devices while driving. These laws give the false impression that hands-free phones are a safe alternative, when the evidence is clear they are not.”

Among the findings of the report:

-28 percent of all crashes in 2008 were the result of driver cell-phone use, leading to 1.6 million crashes and 645,000 injuries. Drivers who are on the phone are four times more likely to crash.

-11 percent of drivers are on the phone at any given point during the day. Eighty-one percent of motorists admit to using a cell phone while driving.

-18 percent of drivers admit to text messaging while driving. Teen (36 percent) and Gen Y (39 percent) drivers are the most likely offenders.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has established a distracted driving website aimed at educating motorists about the dangers. The government is particularly concerned about cell phone use and text messaging by drivers because it includes all three forms of driver distraction: visual, manual and cognitive.

Other forms of driver distraction include:
-Eating and drinking
-Grooming
-Talking to passengers
-Reading or looking at maps
-Using on-board electronics, including stereos and GPS devices

The government reports that using a cell phone, whether hands-free or hand-held, delays a driver's reaction time as much as driving while intoxicated.

Continue reading "Distracted driving a primary cause of West Palm Beach car accidents" »

As a Personal Injury Law Firm that deals with motor vehicle accidents everyday in Florida, we are constantly reminded of the unfortunate sequence of events which can follow if proper preparedness is not taken on behalf of the insured. Prior to an accident, you may not feel that car insurance is very important and purchasing the cheapest auto insurance, or or driving illegally without insurance, is good enough for you; because, hey you're a safe driver...right? Having that type of thought will only take you so far until you're sitting at a red light minding your own business and an uninsured driver slams into the back of you. Now what? Incidents happen like this everyday in Florida. Statistics have shown our roads are crowded with some of the worst drivers in the country so why take the chance! The bottom line is lack of proper car insurance will only cause you more aggravation and stress, not to mention, the possibilty of being left without proper medical treatment, lost wages, and a car. The car insurance you purchase and the specific elements of it, such as personal injury protection (PIP) can become pinnacle should you become involved in a crash. PIP coverage on your car is basically what pays for lost wages and medical bills if you are involved in a crash and is the minimum policy a driver must carry in the state of Florida. Make sure you do your due diligence and research when you'r e looking for auto insurance. A good place to start for basic auto insurance information is the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles website.

As we are all too familiar with, auto accidents in South Florida can occur in many forms and types; on any given day, our vehicles are exposed to potentially dangerous driving situations due to unique circumstances. As we enter our busiest roadway time of year, the Florida tourist season brings more drivers, more pedestrians, and more bicyclists to our already congested roadways. So it's up to us, the people who live here, to make sure we are patient and considerate to visiting drivers as we approach the busy tourist season ahead. But, if something should occur out of the ordinary, such as a relative driving a rented vehicle while visiting, I've listed a few pointers that could help you out.

If you or someone you know is involved in an accident involving a rented or leased vehicle, pedestrian or bicyclist, or an animal, the following may be some good suggestions for you to consider.

For example, in the event you are involved in an accident with a rental or leased vehicle: In Florida an individuals' own insurance policy will protect them for any automobile that they are driving. There is no need to purchase additional insurance from the automobile rental or leasing company unless they wish to increase their coverage, e.g., add collision coverage.

In the case where a pedestrian or bicyclist is hit there is a presumption of fault if drivers strike a pedestrian or bicyclist. However the presumption of fault is the opposite for a motorcyclist. In a car vs. motorcycle collision the motorcyclist will mostly likely be presumed guilty until proven innocent. Law enforcement officers will almost always apply a presumption of fault to motorcyclists. However, the presumption can be overturned by evidence of fault or statutory violation on the part of the bicyclist or pedestrian, or motorcyclist, e.g., bicycling at night without a headlight, jaywalking, or aggressive driving. In no-fault states, such as Florida, injured pedestrians are often covered by their own automobile policies, even though they were pedestrians at the time, and even if the driver was at fault. If the pedestrian does not own a car and does not have insurance, then the personal injury protection would fall under the blood relative's household he or she resides in.

In a more often than not case where a domesticated animal is injured and/or damage occurs to the driver, there may be a presumption of fault on the part of the animal's owner for allowing the animal to run at large. If the accident was caused by driver negligence, the animal owner may file suit against the driver. Most states limit damages to the value of the animal or its medical care, and do not permit non-economic damages such as emotional damages associated with the loss of a pet. However, this is a rapidly developing area of law. Injury or damage to the driver's vehicle caused by collision with wild animals (e.g., deer) is generally covered without assignment of fault. The driver should render assistance to the animal only if the driver will not further endanger himself or other motorists.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) traffic deaths on a national level were down 7 percent in the first half of 2009 compared to last year. This stays in line with Florida's stastics, which for the third year in a row Florida has seen a decrease in traffic fatalities. According to the Florida Performs website, the state holds a fatality rate decrease of 1.5 deaths per vehicles miles traveled (VMT) in 2008 from 1.57 deaths per 100 million VMT in 2007. This year Florida Legislature passed the primary seat belt law which took effect this past June. This law requires all drivers and passengers to be secured with a seat belt. This will hopefully assist in keeping the decrease of traffic deaths seen throughout the country consistent within the state of Florida.

There's no doubt in Florida we have a fair share of attorneys, especially personal injury attorneys. So, how does one go about choosing a good attorney for their potential accident case. To start, when choosing a personal injury attorney there are several factors you may want to consider. For example, if a friend or relative has referred you to a personel injury attorney, then you will most likely benefit from that recommendation. Otherwise, if you need to locate an attorney on your own, you may find yourself in a vast universe of who to choose and how to go about choosing them.

With that being said, there are a few things to keep in mind; Firstly if possible do your research online. This will give you great insight to the firm you are considering. Most attorney websites, if not all will list the backgrounds of the firm's attorneys, their level of experience, and a list of settlements they have received.

However, as everyone is aware, there are many times than not that during an accident things are confusing and hectic and research is not an option. In situations like this the individual involved in the accident will typically make the call to the first phone number available to him or her. This is ok to do keeping in mind that you can always do your research after you have retained the law firm to represent you. If you decide that the firm you chose on impulse is not a good fit, you can cancel your agreement with the firm within 72 hours of your signing with them and not incur any fees. You want to locate an attorney that is going to have your best interests at heart and is going to communicate with you on a regular basis. But every client should beware; Just like in any business, it's important to keep in mind that there are many personal injury attorney scams out there, unaccredited lawyers and other schemers who try to extort large amounts of money from people or companies to make themselves rich.

If time permits a person involved in an accident could contact the local Bar Association in their area. The Bar association will maintain a list of responsible attorneys and will be able to recommend a good personal injury attorney to you. If you think you will have trouble paying attorneys fees, you may want to investigate the free legal aid clinics in your area. Legal aid clinics will help file a law suit on your behalf and will often work pro bono, or free of charge, if they think the case is justified.

More importantly make sure that the personal injury attorney you choose has your best interest and he or she listens to your needs.

For several years now, the Palm Beach County Board of Commissioners have been advocating the installations of cameras at intersections to protect the public. The Sheriff's office also supports the idea, and so does the Florida Legislature, or at least they seem to in theory for now. Without the support of statewide legislation, Palm Beach County has decided to take matters into their own hands by developing it's own ordinance.

The determination coming from the Board of County Commissioners is that running a red light is a major issue and needs to take priority in order to provide safety, efficiency, and proper use of the county roads and to effectively reduce the significant dangers presented to motorist and pedestrians by drivers who run red lights everyday.

In 2006, there were approximately 8,000 crashes in Palm Beach County of which many of the crashes were results of people running red lights.

According to the County, there have been ten to twenty cameras in unincorporated areas of Palm Beach County.

But what about crashes that result from drivers trying to avoid being photographed by the red light cameras? "Rigorous studies clearly show red-light cameras don’t work,” said lead author Barbara Langland-Orban, professor and chair of health policy and management at the USF College of Public Health. “Instead, they increase crashes and injuries as drivers attempt to abruptly stop at camera intersections.”

There are some individuals who claim that this is in direct violation of the U.S. Constitution because it undermines an individuals basic rights.

On the other hand, the Department of Transportation and the Insurance Institutue of Highway Safety seem to agree for drivers who insist on running red lights it is definately worthy of having Big Brother's intervention in an attempt to save lives. Statistics show that approximately 800 Americans are killed each year as a result of drivers running red lights.

If you are driving and feel that you are doing something you shouldn't do, like texting for example, chances are your feelings are correct; it's that simple. In Florida during the constant rush of our lives, many of us lose sight of common sense practices especially when it comes to driving. Texting while driving is not something you should do...period. For that matter, anything that involves taking your eyes off the road for a second, you shouldn't do.

While driving, we are constantly distracted by everything from other careless drivers, to pedestrians, to noise pollution, and construction detours just to name a few. So why do people continue to do something wrong such as texting when they know they shouldn't? The answer - because they can get away with it, that is, until an accident happens. Let's face the facts; looking at a small screen and pushing buttons while driving will eventually cause a person to get into wreck. Which is exactly why a CNET report shows that texting while driving puts a person in the same danger as drunk driving!

According to a CNET report on texting, a driver is 8 times more likely to be in an accident while texting and 4 times more likely if they are just talking on a cell phone. So that means,according to recent studies, that talking on a cell phone while driving is the equivalent of .08 level of intoxication, and texting while driving puts a person right up there with the same danger as driving drunk.

Senators are seeking a ban on texting while driving. If the ban passes, states that don't participate in banning texting while driving could lose hundreds of millions of dollars in federal highway funds according to CNET News.

The bottom line, take time to pull over to make your phone call or text message. Or just wait until you get to your destination. It could prevent a serious accident and maybe save lives.

Florida bad drivers take note; beginning January 2010, some of the state's worst drivers will be sent back to driving school. A new state law will cause any motorist convicted of three crash-related moving violations over a three-year period to take a required course which includes a driving test for the offender to pass.

This past June, Governor Charlie Christ signed a bill that will go into effect January 2010.

To date, more than 3,200 drivers have been identified, with the statistics showing that these drivers are most likely to be white men, age 40 or younger, and are clustered in the state's urban areas. While men make up 52 percent of the drivers, they account for 64 percent of these bad drivers. And the accident-prone should know this: Crashes in 2008 and 2009 will count.

Bad drivers are all around us, wherever you may be travelling. State Sen. Don Gaetz was driving down U.S. 98 in Northwest Florida when he saw another driver reading a newspaper while going 65 mph.

"I think there are some people who just don't take driving that seriously," said Gaetz, R-Niceville.

Thanks to Gaetz, more drivers in Florida will have to pay more attention. Or it could cost them a lot of money, and hopefully this will be the needed incentive for bad drivers to start driving more responsibly.