Florida drivers are consistently listed as some of the worst drivers in the country. As experienced Miami auto accident attorneys, we know the financial and emotional toll an auto accident can take on the victim and their family.
The Miami Herald reports that failure to use turn signals results in 2 million collisions annually in the U.S., according to research by the Society of Automotive Engineers. That is more than twice the 950,000 annual collisions attributed to distracted driving. Based on the analysis, all 2 million of those collisions take place in Miami, where a basic safety feature could have been used to avoid the accident.
Drivers fail to use turn signals 48 percent of the time when changing lanes and 25 percent of the time when making a turn, according to a report by automotive engineer Richard Ponziani, who observed 12,000 turning vehicles. That adds up to two billion times a day that Americans do not use turn signals.
The use of a turn signal is one of the most basic functions covered in driver’s education. The turn signal indicates to drivers which direction you will be traveling in the future. It may seem like common sense, but using a turn signal when changing lanes on the highway or making a turn onto a different street can eliminate the risk of a Miami car accident significantly. If it is that easy, however, why are more drivers not using their turn signals?
To provide a bit of history on the turn signal, this safety feature was first introduced in 1939. It was added to alert drivers as to whether a vehicle around them would be turning or changing lanes. The turn signal is not an automatic device, however. It only works if the driver operates it, which means the driver needs to signal well in advance before making a turn or changing lanes on the road.
Under Florida Statute 316.155, “No person may turn a vehicle from a direct course or move right or left upon a highway unless and until such movement can be made with reasonable safety, and then only after giving an appropriate signal in the manner hereinafter provided, in the event any other vehicle may be affected by the movement.” Not using a turn signal in the State of Florida is not only against the law, but it can lead to road rage, experts warn.
The lack of turn signal usage is said to be an epidemic in South Florida. Not only are highways congested during any given part of the day, but drivers tend to be a bit more on the aggressive side than in other parts of the country. The Miami area is also full of drivers who are here while on vacation and are unfamiliar with the roads and traffic patterns, as well as elderly drivers. This combination can spell a recipe for disaster, especially when it comes to accidents caused by impatience, carelessness and road rage.
Distracted driving can also play a part as to why someone fails to signal when changing lanes or turning. If a driver is not focusing properly on the road, he or she is also likely not aware of everything going on around him or her.
The best recommendation we have for drivers is to always use caution when traveling on the road. Always use your signal when making a turn or when changing lanes and be aware of drivers around you who may fail to use their signal. This extra effort could save your life, as well as the lives of others on the road.
FREE CONSULTATION WITH A MIAMI AUTO ACCIDENT PERSONAL INJURY ATTORNEY
If you have been injured in a motor vehicle accident in Florida, it is very important to consult with an experienced Miami auto accident attorney immediately. Miami-based Aronfeld Trial Lawyers can help accident victims file a lawsuit for damages if they are injured due to another driver’s failure to use his or her turn signal or if they engage in any other form of careless driving that results in an auto accident. Florida auto accident victims have only 14 days to seek initial medical attention to receive insurance benefits after an accident, so it is important you are seen by a doctor as soon as possible following the accident. Spencer Aronfeld is a Board Certified Trial Lawyer, and he and the lawyers at Aronfeld Trial Lawyers understand Florida’s complex personal injury laws and since 1991 we have fought hard to protect the legal rights of the injured and their families- and hold auto insurers like State Farm, Allstate, Progressive, GEICO and others accountable for the pain and suffering, medical expenses, lost wages and other damages suffered by our clients. Contact us today and speak with an experienced Miami auto accident attorney toll free 1-866-597-4529, local 305-441-0440, or by email. We offer a free initial consultation at your home, office, hotel or hospital. Call us today, we are ready to help.
Related Resources: https://www.miamiherald.com/news/traffic/article154312654.html
