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Florida Cell Phone Laws
Florida 2010 Legislative Update
Cell Phone and Texting Bills Lining Up
The next round of Florida distracted driving laws are ready to be considered, the following bills can be found on the State of Florida Legislative Website . In a recent interview, Governor Crist has agreed to sign a text messaging ban after it has made it through the legislative process.
Florida Senate Bill 328 - Prohibits the use of an electronic communication device to send or receive text-based communications while operating a motor vehicle. Defines the term "text-based communication." Provides exceptions and for enforcement.
Florida House Bill 41 - Pending in the House Roads, Bridges & Ports Policy Committee
Prohibits operation of moving motor vehicle while reading, manually writing or typing, or sending message on electronic wireless communications device.
Florida House Bill 323 - Use of an Electronic Communications Device While Driving
Use of an Electronic Communications Device While Driving: Prohibits composing, sending, reading, or viewing text message on electronic communications device while operating motor vehicle; provides exceptions; provides for construction; provides penalties.
Florida Senate Bill 244 - (Heather's Law) - Pending in the Senate
Relates
to cellular telephones, prohibits the use of a cellular telephone while
operating a motor vehicle except when using a headset or hands-free
device, provides for enforcement only as a secondary offense.
Florida Senate Bill 324 - Pending in the Senate
Relates
to motor vehicle operators and text messaging, prohibits a person from
writing or sending a text message on an electronic communications
device while operating a motor vehicle, provides for enforcement,
provides exceptions, provides penalties.
Florida Senate Bill 326 - Pending in the Senate
Relates
to public transportation operators and text messaging, prohibits
railroad engineers or operators of school buses or other public
transportation vehicles from writing or sending text messages on
electronic communications devices while operating a public
transportation vehicle.
Florida - Senate Bill 448 - Pending in the Senate
Prohibits the operation of a moving motor vehicle while reading, manually writing, or sending a message on an electronic wireless communications device, provides exceptions and penalties.
Creates
"Ronshay Dugans Act"; designates Drowsy Driving Prevention Week;
encourages DHSMV & DOT to educate law enforcement community &
public about relationship between fatigue & driving performance;
restricts use of mobile telecommunications devices by school bus
drivers; provides exceptions & penalties.
Two good resources for those concerned are the NCSL website and the Florida Senate website.
The Florida Cell Phone Law e-Rumor
We have had many visitors from the State of Florida inquiring about the Florida hands-free driving law. Apparently there has been an email circulating since early in 2007 that the new Florida driving law would be going into effect on August 1st, 200X. The email is a Hoax or e-rumor. This email has the subject line "New State of Florida Regulations Regarding Cell phone Usage and other driving matters"
In November of 2009, there is NOT a cell phone law in Florida, however there are many bills that remain in play in the Florida Legislature. A sample of those bills (As of November of 2009) are listed below. Many of the bills are similar in nature, however similar bills have failed in Florida and there is no way to predict which bill, if any, will become law.
There is Not a Law Prohibiting Cell Phone Use While Driving in the State of Florida.
The email goes on to say that new fines will be implemented on 8/1/07 and that violation of the new Florida cell phone law will be $285 and double that if you are in a construction zone. This e-Rumor is similar to the Texas e-Rumor that has been circulating since 2003. The media in Florida has debunked this e-Rumor several times, however it is difficult to control the thousands of emails that are forwarded by friends and relatives who, with good intention, are trying to share the news and the possibility of being ticketed with those who are close to them.
More Reading on the Florida Cell Phone Law e-Rumor
I collected the following links as I was researching this e-Rumor, please accept my apologies if these links do not work as many news stories are "aged" off of their original page.
About.com Urban Legends and Folklore