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Texting While Driving Targeted In Florida Senate
April 1, 2015
A Senate committee Tuesday narrowly approved two bills that would strengthen the state’s ban on texting while driving. The Senate Communications, Energy and Public Utilities Committee voted 5-3 to approve the bills by Sen. Thad Altman, R-Rockledge, and by Sen. Maria Sachs, D-Delray Beach.
Both bills would lead to enforcement of texting while driving as a “primary” offense — meaning police could pull over motorists for texting behind the wheel. Currently, police can only cite motorists for texting while driving if they are pulled over for other reasons. The bills were considered separately because Sachs’ proposal also would double fines for texting while driving in school zones or at designated school crossings.
“Texting and driving kills people,” Sachs said. “That’s the bottom line.”
The committee, however, voted 5-3 to reject a proposal by Sen. Darren Soto, D-Orlando, that would make it a felony if motorists are texting while driving and cause fatal accidents. Also, the committee approved a proposal by Sen. Geraldine Thompson, D-Orlando, that would ban the use of cell phones while driving in school zones, at designated school crossings or on school-district property.
House versions of the Altman, Sachs and Thompson bills have been filed but have not been heard in committees.
by The News Service of Florida
Comments
8 Responses to “Texting While Driving Targeted In Florida Senate”
It is not even the texting that is as much to blame, as it is social media sites like Facefriends, et cetera. Just put the phone down when you drive; no update is worth your life or the life of another.
About time…..Thank you…….you would not believe the number of people I see texting and driving…all over the road.
How about all cell phone use!
When alabama passed their lame version of this law I said then it’s not enough. The proposed changes to Florida’s law is not enough
Only when the penalty for these unsafe actions reach a point to prohibit this dangerous and sometimes behavior will people adhere to the law, as enacted.
!st Offense: Monetary fine of $500.
2nd Offense: Monetary fine of $500 and lose of license for six months.
3rd Offense: Lose of license for one year, plus 30 calendar days in jail.
I just believe there would not be any reason for a person to be cited beyond the third offense.
If alcohol or drugs are involved these penalties are added to those convicted under the statutes pertaining to alcohol and drugs.
I agree with both comments already made, but would add that every time I see someone looking down at their phone while driving, the “primary” offense – careless driving, wandering around between lanes, lagging at a traffic light, obstructing traffic, etc etc etc – is also present.
But, maybe this will have some impact if officers will just start pulling people over for doing it.
I’m so tired of the lawmakers dragging their feet on this.. It should have been done many lives ago..
Today is April Fool’s day……..texting while driving is a fool’s errand. The problem is fools are killing people because of distracted driving, and all the laws in the world will not stop a fool……….simple answer……..block all cell phone use in a car when the car is in drive or reverse. Pull over and park if you NEED to use your phone. Will legislators ever learn that making the statute book a foot thick has accomplished nothing. Solve problems and do not create one more revenue source for a broken criminal justice system. Cell phone blockers in every new car where a car is not in park…..no more money for the Sheriff of Nottingham, no more dead people from distracted drivers, and no more wheelbarrows to carry the Florida statute books.