Texting While Driving in Florida

Florida is dealing with the rising number of car accidents caused by texting while driving. The use of cellular phone to send or read a text message while driving a motor vehicle is a form of distracted driving.

Distracted driving in the form of sending or reading a text message while in actual operation of a motor vehicle is dangerous. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHSTA), distracted driving accounts for 3,092 casualties and around 416,000 injuries across the United States in 2010. According to the NHTSA, text messaging is the most alarming distraction while driving because it “requires visual, manual and cognitive attention from the driver.”

The Hazards of Texting While Driving

Sending or reading a text message while behind the wheel takes about an average of 4.6 seconds of your attention, according to a study conducted by the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT).  This attention span is the same as driving the length of an entire football field blindfolded if you are driving at 55mph. This form of distracted driving creates a crash risk 23 times worse than undistracted driving. 

In terms of age, younger drivers, who are less experienced in driving, are most likely to use their phones to send or receive message while driving, thus diverting their attention from the road ahead of them. 

In a December 2011 NHTSA survey, 18 percent of drivers who participated in the survey admitted that they have done sending text message or e-mails while driving. In the same survey, drivers who are below 24 years are more likely to text while driving than older drivers. 

In light of the hazards caused by texting while driving, Florida introduced a new law on texting and driving that went into effect on October 1, 2013. This new law makes it illegal for a driver to manually type or read multiple letters, numbers, or symbols on a wireless communication device as a form of non-voice interpersonal communication while in actual operation of a motor vehicle. This implies that it is now illegal to text and drive throughout Florida. This law also covers emailing, instant message, or any other communication with another person using a device. This law also prohibits reading a message.

Exceptions 

1.       It is permitted to use a phone to through text emergency or criminal or suspicious activity to law enforcement. 

2.       It is permitted to use a GPS or any other navigation system while driving, even if it is integrated into your cellular phone, iPhone, or iPad.

3.       It is permitted to send a message while driving if you have a hands-free system to do so. This means that your hands-free systems should be capable of converting your spoken word into outgoing messages and also capable of reading aloud a received SMS or email.

4.       The new law only applies to the driver, not to any passenger in a motor vehicle.

Drivers in Florida should be aware of this law to avoid any legal problem. If you have been cited for texting while driving, talk to a defense lawyer as soon as you can.  

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