Tougher Texting While Driving Law Sought

November 29, 2016

A Broward County Democrat wants lawmakers in 2017 to toughen the state’s ban on texting while driving, though similar proposals in the past have repeatedly been rejected.

Rep. Richard Stark, D-Weston, filed a bill (HB 47) on Wednesday that would allow police to pull over motorists for texting while driving. Under current law, motorists can only be cited for texting while driving if they have been pulled over for other reasons — what is known as a “secondary” offense.

Also, Stark’s bill would double fines for texting while driving in designated school zones or school crossings. The bill is filed for the session that will start in March.

Comments

8 Responses to “Tougher Texting While Driving Law Sought”

  1. TERESA IRVING on December 4th, 2016 10:47 am

    YES YES YES……Because texting while is only secondary offense and is only cited if being pulled over for another reason is stupid…They definitely should make a primary offense. Too many (especially young people) are having accidents because they were texting…

  2. mick on November 30th, 2016 1:05 pm

    As the lawmakers and their family members continue to text while driving because lets face it THEY DO, along with every other non caring driver that does it daily protecting a life will still remain “secondary” in importance. The convenience of texting will never end driving or not. The law was useless when they first passed it having no effect at all. Unless you hurt the offenders in the pocket book its texting while driving as usual. People are going to do what they want to do regardless…

  3. Gary on November 30th, 2016 2:27 am

    Laws are useless unless enforced. How many citations have ever been issued in Escambia County for texting?

  4. Patriot on November 29th, 2016 6:47 pm

    The real problem with the current law is twofold; texting is illegal, but looking at your contacts list, looking at google maps, etc are all legal. How is it different from a safety standpoint, and how can a cop tell the difference? Secondly, law enforcement cannot subpoena phone records to prove it was texting unless there is an accident with injury.
    I would surmise that there are VERY few, if any, texting tickets that are written that get convictions.

  5. Nod on November 29th, 2016 4:02 pm

    I agree with ponderosa again. Everyone including cops should pay attention to the road.

  6. anne 1of2 on November 29th, 2016 12:53 pm

    Not to mention what these wrecks are doing to our insurance rates. Read your bill before you automatically pay it I don’t text and I won’t pay extra for those who do!

  7. Laura Cook on November 29th, 2016 12:18 pm

    This is the most important legislation ALL States should pas because 90 percent I believe is caused by texting. Get a pencil and piece of paper and write down the people you see driving that are texting. Something has got to be done!!!!!! I am surprised our legislators in Florida have REJECTED this in the past. I will canvas who I vote for next time and if they are not for stiff legislation to curtail this I will avidly campaign against them. I am scared to drive because of this. Some kind of STIFF fine must be imposed and NOW.

  8. Ponderosa hill on November 29th, 2016 6:03 am

    If texting while driving renders the driver/texter the equivalent of DUI ( not
    able to function) as an alert, courteous, careful, law abiding citizen driver and therefore should face the same penalties as DUI offenders face. Texting is basically just not paying attention to what’s in front,behind, or the side of you. It
    also should be mentioned that even law enforcers ( while driving ) should also
    pay attention to the road ….and not computers,radios, etc. Have sure noticed
    ECSO vehicles involved in way to many wrecks lately.

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under News