What to Know
- Texting while driving is a secondary offense in Florida.
- The bill that would make texting while driving a primary offense has stalled in the state Senate.
As the deadline for the end of the Florida legislative session looms, the bill that would ban texting while driving may stop short of passing.
The Florida legislative session ends on Friday and unless lawmakers act expeditiously, then the measure that would upgrade texting while driving from a secondary offense to a primary offense will be shelved for now.
As a secondary offense, police officers must see another violation such as speeding before they cite a driver for texting.
The Florida House voted 112-2 in support of making texting while driving a primary offense, but it was not clear if the measure would reach Gov. Rick Scott's desk because of opposition in the Senate.
Republican state Sen. Rob Bradley has not yet allowed Senate lawmakers to vote on the measure, citing concerns about racial profiling and giving police the ability to look through your cell phone.
Proponents of the bill argue it would save lives by attempting to curb the dangerous practice of distracted driving.
