By: Lauren Felts, Contributing Writer
Time to focus less on your phone and more on your driving: A new Florida hands-free driving law was issued on July 1 of this year which requires drivers to keep their phones put away at all times and prohibits users from manually operating devices while driving through school or work zones.
Driving while using your phone in a hand-held manner is now not only a serious offense against the laws of this state but is also extremely dangerous and life-threatening.
As of Oct. 1, anyone caught holding a phone while driving in a school or construction zone will receive an automatic citation of $60 or more, plus any extra added fees, and three points put on the drivers’ license.
According to data obtained by The Tampa Bay Times, 36 tickets were issued statewide through the first two weeks after the law went into effect. But through Sept. 17, police in Florida had ticketed 542 drivers for texting while driving and Florida Highway Patrol troopers had issued 438 warnings.
In fact, Officer Juliette Francis of the Florida Highway Patrol mentioned that she’s worked about 65 crashes this year due to phones distracting the drivers. Many teenagers nowadays think they are invincible and can’t get hurt when being behind the safety of the wheel, but it’s actually the opposite. Being behind the wheel isn’t safe but dangerous. Driving isn’t a game but a privilege.
“Driving while texting has replaced driving while drunk per stats,” said Francis. “My sergeant told me in my training that texting while driving is the equivalent of driving on a football field blindfolded going 55 mph which takes about 4.6 seconds to get from one end to the other. On average, it takes about five seconds for a driver to get their attention on a text.”
This has become a nation-wide epidemic and a very serious problem. The law has now noticed and is starting to take action.
“I do agree that this law will make a difference. It’s extremely important to me as an officer that has seen many accidents because of cellphones.” Officer Francis said. “I’m grateful that they started somewhere.”
Currently, 48 states, plus Washington D.C., ban text messages for all drivers. And beginning on Jan. 1, 2020 the full law will go into effect in Florida where hands-free driving will not only be disallowed in school and construction zones but the whole state. Now is the time to take advantage and start practicing.
“Lead by example,” Francis said.
But how? Are there any exceptions to this rule? According to the Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FHSMV) website, there are. These are the following exceptions:
- Wireless communication that does not require a person’s attention to be diverted away from performing their duties as a responsible driver.
- Calling 911 to report any suspicious activity to law enforcement.
- Communication that has to do with an automatic activation of functions or features within your vehicle.
- Getting messages that are related to traffic, safety-related information, weather, the operation of your motorized vehicle, or the radio (podcasts, music) etc.
The law will also not affect those who decide to pull over, putting themselves and their vehicles out of any danger to stop for a quick minute to answer a text or a manually operated feature on their phone that takes their attention off the road.
For anybody who is not aware of what wireless communication is, it refers to not operating any manual functions on your phone, including, letters, symbols, typing, and instant messaging, “said Francis.
Precautions and extreme measures are being taken to keep the citizens of Florida safe at all times so they can “arrive alive” to their destinations according to the FHSMV website.
“Over 3,000 teens and young adult drivers die yearly due to texting while driving,” said Francis. “You are in fact 23 times more likely to crash while texting.”
She, along with any other good police officer doing their civic duty, care about the statistics on deadly crashes being shown increasing each year due to cell phones. It’s time to set it aside and be safe.
Additionally, a poll was taken on campus to show how much students and staff were aware of this matter. Out of roughly 100 students and staff members involved in the Saint Leo community, around twenty-two people had heard about the law, and very few of which had already taken precautionary measures to prevent deadly crashes and are driving safe. The rest of the students or staff were completely unaware about the new changes. Including, Dr. Marino, an English Professor, who inquired that it was good information to be aware of. Also, a student, Sandra Swiderski said, “No, I had no clue.”
“When you’re behind the wheel, your specific actions can either cause or prevent an accident from happening. It’s so important to be alert at all times. Don’t be a statistic.” Francis stated. “Focus on the road no matter what and always lead by example.”
