Florida Driver Crashes Truck While Applying Deodorant

A Florida man crashed his pickup truck onto a highway barrier on Monday morning while distractedly applying deodorant, according to the Florida Highway Patrol (FHP).

The incident occurred around 7 a.m. in Polk County as the 22-year-old Auburndale resident was traveling west on State Road 570. While navigating a curve, the driver collided with an anti-crash device on the highway before coming to rest on top of a concrete barrier.

The driver, whose identity has not been released, sustained no injuries. Troopers confirmed that a stick deodorant was found at the crash site.

Social media users shared accounts of witnessing the aftermath. One commenter reported seeing a young man veer off the right side of the road and hit a parked highway truck, stating the driver was changing his shirt and it had gotten stuck on his head. Another user noted the truck looked badly damaged when they drove past it loaded onto a trailer.

The FHP has used the incident to remind drivers of the dangers of distracted driving. According to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV), a crash occurs every 44 seconds in the state, and approximately one in seven crashes involves a distracted driver. Drivers in their 20s are most likely to be involved in distracted driving incidents, accounting for over 25 percent of such crashes.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration defines distracted driving as any activity that diverts a driver's attention from the task of driving, including texting, eating, drinking, or personal grooming.

"While multitasking may seem normal in our daily lives, it is deadly when you are behind the wheel. Focus on driving safely and arriving safely. Everything else can wait," FLHSMV Executive Director Dave Kerner said in a statement.

It is currently unknown if the driver will face any citations for distracted driving. The FHP has been contacted for further details on the investigation.