Broward Traffic Lawyer – Florida Legislature Unlikely to Ban Texting While Driving

Although text messaging while driving is already banned in 10 states, lawmakers in Florida say it’s unlikely that a proposed cell phone law will pass. The bill would prevent Florida drivers from texting and would require drivers in Florida to use a hands-free device to talk.

According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, five states have already banned drivers from using hand-held cell phones. A spokesman for the institute said that lawmakers in over 40 states are considering legislation dealing with the use of cell phones on the road. Some of them are also considering changes to the current laws which would make the laws easier to enforce.

Miami Senator Frederica Wilson, who is co-sponsoring the text messaging ban, says, “I really don’t think (drivers) understand the risk … they’re taking when they pick that phone up and begin to dial and text message.”

However, she also says that other lawmakers are focused on budget issues rather than cracking down on reckless driving. “They have a little term, ‘We can’t legislate everything,'” she adds.

Texting while driving likely to stay legal in Florida, South Florida Sun Sentinel, April 28, 2009
New statewide campaign targets drivers who talk on cell phone, text, South Florida Sun-Sentinel, July 22, 2009
Contact the law offices of Leifert & Leifert, South Florida traffic ticket attorneys.