Texting while driving ban moves closer to Senate floor
Jan 26, 2012
The following article was published in The Florida Current on January 26, 2012:
Texting while driving ban moves closer to the Senate floor
By Gray Rohrer
Sen. Nancy Detert’s legislation (SB 416) to ban texting on cell phones while driving moved a step closer to getting a vote from the full Senate Thursday, as it passed quickly through the Senate Budget Subcommittee on Transportation, Tourism and Economic Development Appropriations, garnering just one negative vote.
The bill would make texting while driving a vehicle a secondary offense, which means police officers can only cite a driver for it after pulling them over for a separate infraction. The fine for the first offense is $30.
Detert, a Venice Republican, said the pressure from state legislatures across the country is helping to push cell phone and electronic device manufacturers to develop safer technologies, like voice texting and Bluetooth, that allow drivers to concentrate on the road while using the devices.
“I think all those things are pushing the technology to where we will be able to use the technology and still be safe,” Detert said.
The bill has moved through three committees already, and must get through the full Senate Budget Committee before going to the floor. Meanwhile, the House is yet to take up the corresponding bill, HB 299, in committee. Sen. Mike Bennett, R-Bradenton, wants the other chamber to step on the gas on the legislation.
“I think it’s a bill whose time has come. I hope the House gets it moving; I know that they move a little slower over there,” Bennett said.
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