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Texting Crackdown On Horizon

January 23rd, 2015 by Mike Vasilinda

Florida is one of 9 states to get a failing grade for its traffic safety laws. One of the reasons Safe Roads dot org faulted the state is for its weak texting while driving law. At least two bills have already been filed to make ticketing those who text and drive easier.

Florida is one of 9 states…shown here in red to get failing marks for the weakness of its traffic safety laws on the books…the others are far more rural.

One of the reasons Florida flunked is because drivers who text and drive can’t be ticketed unless police stop them for something else.

Lori Berman is co sponsoring a bill that will let police issue tickets when they spot someone texting and driving. “We just don’t make it a priority and we need to.”

Q:”so how many times have you driven up to someone and they’re looking at their phone?”

“Ah..Everyday.”

We spotted at least a half dozen drivers texting in a thirty minute drive on US 90 near the Florida State campus.  The rain and safety made it difficult to capture all of them on camera.

And while this driver rocked out, he was looking down, his hands not on the wheel. He was still looking down when the light turned green.

Rep. Keith Perry of Gainesville sees it all the time as well.  “When you see them and they speed up and slow down, speed up and slow down, or they swerve a little bit,  then you get next to them and see that they are texting. Hopefully its going to happen a lot less.”

Q:”Would you support primary enforcement ?”

A:”Oh, I think it needs to be primary.”

Some want to get even tougher than ticketing texters. . One bill would prohibit anyone under 18 from using any wireless device behind the wheel.

Another reasons for the states low grade is that is only requires kids up to age five in a booster seat, while studies show six and seven year olds most at risk of being hurt if they are in a seat belt. The full report can be found here: http://saferoads.org/files/2015%20Roadmap%20Report%20FINAL.pdf

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