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Florida Cell-Phone Laws Update 2009
Update 06/08/2009 - The Bills Discussed Below Have All Failed or been Indefinitely postponed. While there is not currently (4/11/09) a cell-phone or text-messaging law in the State of Florida, there are several bills working their way through the legislative process in 2009. Florida Senate Bill 172 - If passed, this bill would prohibit the use of a cellular telephone while operating a motor vehicle except when using a headset or hands-free device. Provides exemptions. Provides a penalty. Provides for enforcement only as a secondary offense. Florida Senate Bill 1578- If passed this bill would Prohibits writing, sending, or receiving a text message on an electronic communications device while operating a motor vehicle Two good resources for those concerned are the NCSL website and the Florida Senate website. The Florida Cell Phone e-RumorWe 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, 2007. 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" 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-RumorI 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 Other Florida Information |
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