When a person in the state of Florida is issued a driver’s license, they are required to follow the rules of the road. This ensures that not only them but others sharing the road with them are safe. However, not all people abide by the law and follow these rules at all times. People continue to break the law and drive negligently every day. It is because of this that car accidents are common and serious. The following are some negligent actions that cause car accidents in Florida:

Texting

With the rise in smartphones came an increase of people using their cell phones behind the wheel of a car. According to a Pew Research report, 77 percent of Americans own a smartphone today. This was a 35 percent increase from the amount that people owned in 2011. When a person uses their phone while driving, they are distracted, thus increasing the odds of causing an accident. 

Eating and Drinking

Many people are guilty of eating food or taking a sip of a drink while they are driving. While it seems like a harmless action, it requires the driver to take a hand off the wheel. This is considered negligence as well. Studies show that eating while driving can be just as deadly as texting and driving. 

Personal Grooming

People who are in a rush to get to where they need to sometimes attempt to multitask to save time. This can include engaging in other activities while driving, such as putting on makeup or checking their teeth on the way to work. Because this requires drivers to take their eyes off the road, it is considered negligent driving. 

Talking to Passengers

Talking to passengers in the car is hard to not do while driving. However, what many people do not realize, is that this can be a serious distraction that has the potential to lead to a car accident. Federal data shows that over half of distracted driving accidents are due to the driver talking with passengers.

Using a GPS

Almost everyone uses some type of navigation system while they are operating a car. This can include a GPS device or navigation app on their phone. While these are invaluable tools, using them requires a driver to take their eyes off the road for even just a split second, which can cause an accident.

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