Texting while driving looking to be a primary offense in Florida

Drivers could soon pay a higher price for breaking a particular law. Lawmakers are hoping to turn the dangerous habit of texting while driving from a ‘secondary’ offense to a ‘primary’ offense.

Florida is one of five states that does not have texting while driving as a primary offense. Art Forgey of Alachua County Sheriff’s Office said, ” as a secondary offense there has to be another violation that is associated with it to stop that person for it (texting). However, if it is a primary offense the deputy can go ahead and stop that person for texting and driving instead of having to find a secondary offense to stop that vehicle.”

According to the Florida Department of Highway and Motor Vehicles, there were more than 45,000 distracted driving crashes in 2015. There are three main types of distraction: visual; taking your eyes off of the road, manual; taking your hands off of the wheel and cognitive; taking your mind off of driving. While any of these can endanger drivers and others, texting and driving is especially dangerous because it involves all three.

If you have been involved in an accident caused by the at fault driver texting while driving, call the Law Office of Laurie D. Mitchell. She is a nurse and an attorney who stays current with changes in the law to help your case. Call Now 352-371-9828.

By Brooke Rayford Tuesday, January 3rd 2017
Article reprinted by the Law Office on January 5, 2017