Distracted driving has become an epidemic in America due to drivers of all ages talking or texting on handheld communications devices. To curb the practice of distracted driving, the federal government and private organizations — as well as personal injury attorneys — have developed and launched campaigns to promote safe driving practices.
Further, many states have built on these campaigns by legislating anti-texting bans and hands-free laws. However, Florida continues to buck the trend as one of the few states with no limits on texting or talking while driving.
The Not-so-Secret Powers Behind Successful Legislation
For years, legislation has been introduced to Florida's House and Senate to enact cell phone restrictions. And though there is no argument that such legislation could save lives needlessly lost in auto accidents caused by careless, distracted drivers, there is always strong opposition to the law.
To make it through committees, both chambers and the governor's office, a bill must have at least one factor providing the muscle required to push it through:
- A strong lobby
- Financial incentive
- Support from powerful political leaders
- Emotional pull
Previous anti-texting bills in Florida have come up short due to lack of support from the government and from inattention from the public at large. Further, with serious issues facing the state and the nation, distracted driving bills often are forced to take a back seat to hot topics such as the economy, jobs and healthcare.
Powerful telecommunications companies have also weighed in and flexed their muscles, opening their pocketbooks to pay lobbyists to discourage key lawmakers from seriously considering texting bans. This year, House Representative Ray Pilon, R-Sarasota, and Senator Nancy Detert, R-Venice, hope to change that.
Twin Texting-While-Driving Bills to Be Considered in 2012
In October, Rep. Pilon filed a bill to ban texting while driving in Florida. The bill clearly indicates that texting would not be a primary infraction, so police could not pull a car over based on a driver distracted by a handheld communications device. However, as a secondary infraction, the distracted driver could be pulled over for another issue and then be cited for violating the texting ban. Sen. Detert also filed the same bill in the Senate.
The Florida Legislature returns January 12, 2012, where the latest batch of anti-texting bills, including Pilon's and Detert's, will be considered and decided. For now, we must rely on each other to reduce distracted driving accidents by putting down our cell phones and keeping our eyes, ears and thoughts on the task in front of us: driving safely.
