Texting while driving could cost Florida drivers more in 2018
For those in Florida who find it necessary to text while driving could be headed to getting a much heftier traffic ticket. At this point, the current fine for texting and driving is $30. But a new bill, if it becomes law will make, would put more teeth in the texting while driving offense.
A bi-partisan bill introduced by Reps. Jackie Toledo, R-Tampa, and Emily Slosberg, D-Boca Raton, got unanimous support as it passed through the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee.
This time a stronger texting while driving law has a much better chance of making it to becoming a law. It is a bi-partisan piece of legislation and has the backing of one of Florida’s most important political voices as House Speaker Richard Corcoran, R-Land O’Lakes thinks that the bill would make a good law for drivers in the state.
The proposed new law would make texting and driving a primary offense, which means Floridians could get pulled over if they’re found typing on their phones as they are operating a vehicle.
As it stands now according to the laws on the books texting while driving is defined as a secondary offense in Florida.
But if the bill becomes law there would be a total ban on texting while driving. Furthermore, if the state passes the law it would make Florida the 41st state in the country to have such a law on the books.
According to the most recent report issued by the National Safety Council is a major problem. The report shows that an amazing one out of every four car accidents in the United States is caused by texting and driving, with cell phone use while driving leading to nearly 2 million crashes each year.
The law would still allow drivers to use their phone for GPS and for calls, via Bluetooth.