Distracted Driving - Florida Permit Test

Learn about Distracted Driving Laws in Florida

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Distracted Driving is a topic you must understand to pass the Florida Permit Test. Watching the videos and reading the tutorials provided here will teach you about Distracted Driving.

Florida had more than 50,000 accidents in 2016 that were attributed to distracted driving. Since 2013 the number of accidents because of distracted driving have increased 26 percent. The primary message you must understand is when you're driving focus on driving.

Once you have watched the Videos on Distracted Driving and read the tutorials we recommend you take our practice test on Distracted driving to determine if you understand the topic.

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Distracted Driving Topics

Driving Drowsy

Driving drowsy can be extremely dangerous. In some cases drivers nod off for a few seconds and in other cases drivers fall asleep at the wheel, which can be deadly. In Florida, in 2016 there were more than 4,500 accidents caused by drowsy driving and 22 deaths.

What Causes Drowsy Driving

The two main causes of drowsy driving are lack of a good night sleep and driving at times when you would normally be sleeping.

• Lack of sleep
• Driving at times you are normally sleeping
• Taking medication that causes drowsiness
• Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol

Here are recommendations on how to avoid drowsy driving from the Florida DMV.

Take Breaks - On long trips take a break every 100 miles or 2 hours.

Buddy System - Switch drivers when the driver is feeling sleepy.

Take a Nap - Find a safe place to rest and take a nap.

Eating, Drinking and other Distractions

Eating and drinking are just two of many distractions that take your hands off the wheel and your eyes off the road.

Types of Distracted Driving

In addition to texting, The Florida Drivers Handbook lists the following as driver distractions:

• Talking on a cell phone
• Watching an object, person or event outside the vehicle
• Reaching for an object
• Interacting with passengers
• Eating or drinking
• Unsecured pets
• Grooming
• Adjusting climate control or the radio
• Lighting a cigarette
• Daydreaming

Texting and Driving is Illegal in Florida

Texting is one of the most dangerous types of distracted driving

This is because texting requires all three types of distractions.

Three Types of Driver Distractions

• Visual - taking your eyes off the road.
• Manual - taking your hands off the steering wheel.
• Cognitive - thinking about anything other than driving.

Don't text while you are driving here is an example scenario:

• At 40 miles per hour you are traveling over 58 feet per second.
• If you look at a text for 3 seconds you have traveled more than 175 feet.
• Traffic may have stopped in front of you.
• An animal or person may be in the road.
• When you look up from your text it may be too late to stop.