Florida State legislators are considering banning the use of texting while driving. Eleven bills have been sponsored by both Republicans and Democrats for approval within national government to prohibit the act of texting behind the wheel. Each bill has its differences and may vary between bans of all individuals or exclusively to minors texting behind the wheel. States may impose fines ranging from $30 for first timers to $500 for repeat offenders.
Heather's Law is a bill that originated in Polk County and is named after Heather Hurd. Hurd was a victim killed in an eight car pile-up caused by a texting semi-truck driver on Interstate 4. In 2008, distracted drivers killed 15 people and injured an additional 1,400. Numerous hearings have been held on the matter, but Florida is one of only 36 states not possessing some form of anti-texting statute.
Currently there are no concrete databases documenting exactly how many traffic infractions are related to texting drivers. The Florida Highway Patrol is in the process of updating their system to include texting in their reports. Law makers fear that State and local law enforcement agencies will have difficulty enforcing the law against texting because offenders are not likely to admit their guilt.
Government officials are also not confident that a bill banning the act of texting while driving will be popularly received. The general public often does not support any law that affects their civil liberties. Florida recently passed the Seatbelt Law only because the feds threatened to deny $35 million dollars in funding for highways.
I am a Florida traffic attorney and I have handled countless cases in traffic court. If you are cited with an infraction for distracted driving, contact an experienced traffic attorney for help with your case. A traffic citation can have damaging effects on your driving record and negatively impact costly insurance rates. I will fight for your driving rights because you are considered innocent until proven guilty in a Court of law.
