Florida lawmaker seeks ‘hands-free’ cell phone use behind the wheel - Tampa Bay Times

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After helping craft a 2019 law that strengthened Florida’s ban on texting while driving, Rep. Emily Slosberg, D-Boca Raton, is seeking to require motorists to go fully “hands free” while using wireless phones.

Slosberg on Friday introduced a bill (HB 91) for the 2021 legislative session that would make it illegal for people to operate vehicles while “manually holding or otherwise touching” wireless devices.

Rep. Emily Slosberg, D-Boca Raton [ Florida House of Representatives ]

“Cell phones are the number one source of distraction for drivers and I have fought for years to ban using them while driving,” Slosberg said in a prepared statement. “The texting while driving ban we passed during the 2019 legislative session was a great start, but it was just that — a start. We must do more to limit distracted driving and keep our roadways safe.”

Slosberg, whose twin sister died in a car accident, co-sponsored the texting-while-driving legislation during the 2019 session with Rep. Jackie Toledo, R-Tampa.

Part of the 2019 law made texting while driving a “primary” offense, which means police can pull over motorists for texting behind the wheel. Previously, it was considered a “secondary” offense, which meant motorists could only be cited for texting while driving if they were pulled over for other reasons.

The law also prohibits motorists from using hand-held wireless devices in designated school crossings, school zones and work zones. Slosberg proposed a bill during the 2020 legislative session to use a fully “hands free” approach, but the measure did not advance.

Slosberg’s latest proposal would make Florida the 26th state to prohibit all drivers from using hand-held cell phones while behind the wheel.

The Link Lonk


December 19, 2020 at 11:50PM
https://www.tampabay.com/news/transportation/2020/12/19/florida-lawmaker-seeks-hands-free-cell-phone-use-behind-the-wheel/

Florida lawmaker seeks ‘hands-free’ cell phone use behind the wheel - Tampa Bay Times

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