There Were 1,495 Distracted Driving Crashes Last Year In Escambia County. Six Were Fatal.

April 3, 2022

In 2021, there were 1,496 traffic crashes involving distracted driving in Escambia County.

Six of those crashes were fatal.

A map showing distracted drive crashes in Escambia County is below.

April is National Distracted Driving Awareness Month, and the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) and the Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) has launched a campaign aimed at educating Florida motorists on the importance of avoiding distracted driving, and is informing motorists of current laws against distracted driving.

According to FLHSMV data, distracted driving crashes resulted in 333 fatalities across the state in 2021 – the highest recorded in Florida in at least eight years.

“When you get behind the wheel you only have one job, and that’s to ensure you and your passengers reach your destination safely,” said FLHSMV Executive Director Terry L. Rhodes. “More than 56,000 distracted driving crashes happened last year in Florida alone, and 75% of those crashes were caused by the driver being inattentive behind the wheel. Today and every day, pledge to drive how you would want others to drive around you and your loved ones – distraction free.”

On average, there were more than 1,000 distracted driving crashes every week across the state last year.

“It is extremely dangerous when you drive distracted on Florida roadways,” said Colonel Gene S. Spaulding, FHP director. “FHP wants to remind drivers to keep their hands on the wheel, eyes on the road, and their minds on driving. Focused attention on driving increases your reaction time to dangerous driving situations and keeps the ones you love safe as well as your fellow citizens.”

Safety Tips for Driving

  • If you are expecting a text message or need to send one, pull over and park your car in a safe location. Once you are safely off the road and parked, it is safe to text.
  • Designate your passenger as your “designated texter.” Allow them access to your phone to respond to calls or messages.
  • Do not engage in social media scrolling or messaging while driving.
  • Struggling to not text and drive? Activate your phone’s “Do Not Disturb” feature, or put your cell phone in the trunk, glove box, or back seat of your vehicle until you arrive at your destination.

Put Your Phone Away or Pay

  • When you get behind the wheel, be an example to your family and friends by putting your phone away. Just because other people do it doesn’t mean texting and driving is “normal” behavior.
  • In 48 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, texting while driving is an illegal, ticketable offense. You could end up paying a hefty fine and get points on your license.
  • If you see someone texting while driving, speak up. If your friend is texting while driving, tell them to stop. Listen to your passengers: If they catch you texting while driving and tell you to put your phone away, put it down.

NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.

Comments

12 Responses to “There Were 1,495 Distracted Driving Crashes Last Year In Escambia County. Six Were Fatal.”

  1. Swampfox on April 5th, 2022 2:32 pm

    @ David Huie
    If a drivers eyes(attention) is anywhere other than
    the task @ hand (driving) then it’s likely gonna end
    badly ! Could it be rate increases (auto insurance )
    being spread-out to everyone actually may increase
    profits for insurers? Should we be happy to pay higher
    rates to spread-out risk for poor risk drivers ?

  2. David Huie Green on April 5th, 2022 11:25 am

    REGARDING:
    “How about raising THEIR RATES only ?”

    If insurance companies (or any of us) knew who was going to have a wreck and/or die before they did it, they (or we) would either stop them before they did it or not insure them in the first place.

    David for precognition

  3. Swampfox on April 5th, 2022 11:05 am

    @ TB !
    Me too brother ! loved to ride but it’s just too
    dangerous. There are some good country rides
    Out past Cantonment but have to get there first .
    sold both Bikes and still miss-em !

  4. Porter on April 4th, 2022 9:47 am

    100% agree with you, Paul.

    Paul on April 3rd, 2022 7:13 am
    Thanks for this story.
    I wish our lawmakers would put this on par with DUI.
    The end results are the same so the penalty should be also.

  5. Don cooper on April 3rd, 2022 4:20 pm

    All of us are “LOOKY LOO RUBBER NECKERS” if we will just admit it instead of blaming every one else.

  6. Bobash on April 3rd, 2022 12:17 pm

    @ Scott Liles…

    Florida is a destination state. A high percentage of the inhabitants are not true Floridians, or, just passing through. Furthermore, they bring their driving habits with them from their native states.

  7. Swampfox on April 3rd, 2022 9:35 am

    1500 wrecks in Escambia County ? So, our rates for auto insurance have to go up because about 1500 supposedly intelligent humans can’t pay attention? How about raising THEIR RATES only ? Looks like some big increases in Auto Insurance are headed our way ! Of course we’ll complain about those greedy Insurance Companies .

  8. Scott Liles on April 3rd, 2022 9:26 am

    My wife saw somewhere that Florida was #1 in the Worst driver’s in the nation last year. I think Florida was 3rd worse this year.

  9. Oversight on April 3rd, 2022 8:29 am

    Distracted driving is not only limited to using cellular devices as highlighted by FHP in this article. Think about it because we’ve likely seen some or even all of these: eating, using make-up, reading (book, newspaper or map), drive by window shoppers, dealing with passengers (kids), using or programing GPS, computer, or radio. And then there are always those drive by looky loo rubber neckers at a traffic crash. Doing anything that takes the driver’s attention away from the immediate task at hand is distracted driving. And it is as serious as driving under the influence.

    To help with the cellular use problem, Florida needs to pass a “hands free” law, like in some other states. Make violations a primary stop offense with a hefty fine ($500 +) no excuses. If the device is in the driver’s hand, ticket them. However if the law isn’t enforced…. Well you know… it’ll be just another wink, blink and a pass to carry on as usual. Pay attention to other drivers and stay safe out there!

  10. TB on April 3rd, 2022 8:05 am

    That’s why I gave up riding motorcycles, too many people with their heads down drifting over the center line making me drive off the shoulder to keep from getting killed.

  11. Fun Fact on April 3rd, 2022 7:39 am

    Auto insurance in Florida is the second highest in the country.

  12. Paul on April 3rd, 2022 7:13 am

    Thanks for this story.
    I wish our lawmakers would put this on par with DUI.
    The end results are the same so the penalty should be also.

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under News