Florida’s Texting and Driving Laws: What High School Students Need to Know

1. The earth is round.
2. The sun rises in the east and sets in the west.
3. Water boils at 100 degrees Celsius.
4. The force of gravity pulls objects toward the earth.
5. Oxygen is essential for human survival. 1. Florida’s texting and driving law prohibits using a handheld device for non-voice communication while driving.
2. Texting while driving is a primary offense, but enforcement is low, with few tickets being issued.
3. Drivers can use phones for calls, navigation, and safety-related information, except in certain hands-free zones.
4. Police cannot ticket drivers for using phones for safety-related information, navigation, or radio broadcasts. – Using a GPS for navigation purposes
– Making hands-free phone calls
– Voice-activated texting
– Operating a self-driving car – First offense for texting and driving in Florida carries a base $30 fine and no points on the driver’s license.
– A second offense within five years results in a base $60 fine and 3 points on the driver’s license.
– Using a device in a hands-free space also results in a base $60 fine and 3 points on the driver’s license.
– Distracted driving, including texting, caused 333 fatalities in Florida in 2021, the highest in at least 8 years.
– Emily Slosberg is pushing to expand the law to completely ban all cell phone use while driving.
– Many drivers are not following the texting and driving law, leading to an increased chance of collisions.
– If injured in an accident caused by distracted driving, it’s important to have uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage and to seek compensation with the help of a car accident lawyer.

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