July 1st. Texting Whilst Driving Will Be Illegal In Florida

[Mr Tom Morrow]

Just watching the News and the Governor has just signed the bill making texting whilst driving illegal throughout Florida.

First offence $30
Second offence $60

Pathetic fines but at least it's a start.

Probably 10 years too late and the estimate is 250 people die per annum due to distracted texting drivers.

[Mr Tom Morrow]

Due to the higher percentage of Police Officers than in the U.K. I suspect there will be lots of tickets issued.

[DonnaD]

It was already illegal believe it or not but was classed as a "secondary offence". It meant the police couldn't pull you over it but could site you for it if you were pulled over for something else. Unlike the UK though, it still isn't an offense if you are stopped, even at a traffic light.

[Mr Tom Morrow]

Originally Posted by DonnaD

It was already illegal believe it or not but was classed as a "secondary offence". It meant the police couldn't pull you over it but could site you for it if you were pulled over for something else. Unlike the UK though, it still isn't an offense if you are stopped, even at a traffic light.

See more...

Donna. When living in the U.K. Did you notice most people at traffic lights etc were looking at their lap - where the phone undoubtedly was.

[walt4it]

What about watching Tv on your phone when driving

That seemed more obvious on the I4 last summer

[DonnaD]

Originally Posted by Mr Tom Morrow

Donna. When living in the U.K. Did you notice most people at traffic lights etc were looking at their lap - where the phone undoubtedly was.

See more...

I remember them being more subtle than here. The fact that 99% drive automatics here makes it alot easier to hold your phone and drive.

[Miss_Tangled]

Originally Posted by walt4it

What about watching Tv on your phone when driving

That seemed more obvious on the I4 last summer

See more...

We spotted the same, one woman holding her iPad on her steering wheel watching a programme.

You can always tell those on their phones by the constant brake tapping...

[ChrisS]

Originally Posted by Mr Tom Morrow

Just watching the News and the Governor has just signed the bill making texting whilst driving illegal throughout Florida.

First offence $30
Second offence $60

Pathetic fines but at least it's a start.

Probably 10 years too late and the estimate is 250 people die per annum due to distracted texting drivers.

See more...

Our deputy pal's opinion to the new ruling; a token gesture. He's chowed off with picking up the pieces (literally) of irresponsible drivers who believe they can text and safely drive, irrespective, none are driving responsibly if occupied with a mobi. Thankfully he retires in Nov and will no longer be cleaning up the corresponding mess or giving families the news none want to hear.

[Chilli-pepper]

My daughter and I drove for about 5 hrs yesterday up and down the M6 (to go somewhere and back, not just for fun! ) and she commented on the amount of lorry drivers who she could see were using the phone at the wheel.

[Miss_Tangled]

Originally Posted by Chilli-pepper

My daughter and I drove for about 5 hrs yesterday up and down the M6 (to go somewhere and back, not just for fun! ) and she commented on the amount of lorry drivers who she could see were using the phone at the wheel.

See more...

I was reading an article the other day about police now using ‘supercabs’ for this exact reason.
They caught one lorry driver with his phone in one hand and his bank card in the other.