Mitch PerryAfter years of failure, the Florida Legislature in 2013 finally passed a ban on texting while driving, joining the majority of states who already had passed such legislation addressing the issue of Americans obsession with their smartphones.
But even its biggest supporters admitted that bill was modest at best.
If fact, the current law is so weak that you’re still allowed to text in your car while on the road – as long as it’s at a stop sign or red light. The current law is a “secondary offense,” meaning the cops can’t pull you over unless you’ve committed another infraction in addition to texting. As such, the officer can write you a $30 ticket.
But as reported by Jenna Buzzaco-Foerester in todays’ Tampa Tribune, state Senator Maria Sachs (D-Delray Beach) is about to introduce legislation that would make texting a primary offense. It would also increase penalties for violations in school zones and school crossings. There are at least two other bills floating around that would roughly do the same thing.
When I was in California last month, I was talking on a cellphone in the car before I realized that it’s illegal to speak on a hand-held device, much less text (I put the phone down after reminding myself of that fact). Other states like New York also only allow hands-free devices. Some analysts say that’s not safe enough, but it’s a helluva better than having a driver fiddling with their phone with their head down and not staring at oncoming traffic.
I know, I know: you’re really good at it. Fine. But what about those other nuts on the road?
According to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, the state had 4,841 phone-related crashes in 2012.
It’s time for the state to step up enforcement on this serious issue.
In other news…
A new survey released yesterday showed that Floridians aren’t really supportive of offering tax incentives to film and TV productions to Florida – which is the realm of the coin to get such Hollywood productions to film in any state these days.
Here we go again? A “clarification” of a a particular law regarding tasting rooms for craft breweries is all that some retail and “Big Beer” firms say they’re asking for in Tallahassee- but craft breweries say it’s yet another attempt to derail the growing Florida industry.
Marco Rubio continues to say with a straight face that it doesn’t matter at all that Jeb Bush looks extremely serious in running for the GOP nomination for president next year. The Florida Senator said he thinks he could put on a credible campaign – if he decides to do so.
Jeff Brandes says he’s contemplating legislation that would address some egregious forms of civil forfeiture on the part of law enforcement agencies.
And 23-year-old University of Tampa student Tyler Barrett is no longer running for Tampa City Council.
