Does Florida have a hands-free driving law? Yes. It restricts distracted driving, but it does not prohibit all handheld phone use on every road. Understanding the hands-free driving law helps you recognize when another motorist has violated a safety rule before a crash.
If a distracted driver injured you, an attorney can explain how that conduct affects your claim. The state treats texting differently from other handheld use, and certain protected areas have extra restrictions.
Under Florida Statute § 316.305, state law prevents a driver from typing a text or similar written message on a wireless device while operating a moving vehicle.
This texting-while-driving ban applies statewide, so it may be relevant after a collision when evidence shows a driver was composing a message. The statute does not establish a fully hands-free state, as it excludes some handheld use. Even then, device use matters if it distracts a driver from operating a vehicle safely.
A separate law, Fla. Stat. § 316.306, restricts handheld device use in designated school crossings, school zones, and active work zones where workers are present. In those areas, drivers cannot use wireless devices while holding them.
The Florida hands-free driving rule is broader than the texting ban because it covers all handheld use, not only manual texting. Outside those zones, the state does not ban handheld phone use outright, but it may find you careless if you look away from traffic because of a phone.
After a crash, a Florida distracted-driving law violation can provide evidence that the driver failed to use reasonable care. However, a citation does not automatically decide an injury claim, because you still need proof linking that behavior to the wreck and to your injuries.
The team at Rue & Ziffra can investigate phone records and witness accounts when legally obtainable to determine whether device use contributed to the driver’s failure to respond safely. Legal deadlines apply, so address a potential case promptly.
After a crash involving suspected phone use, knowing the answer to the question “Does Florida have a hands-free driving law?” is vital. Insurers may dispute how the crash happened or argue that device use was unrelated to the impact or your injuries.
Rue & Ziffra has over 50 years of experience serving injured Floridians. We can examine the circumstances and communicate with insurers on your behalf. Our consultations are free, so reach out today for a case review.
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