Today, The Wireless Communications While Driving Law, section 316.305, Florida Statutes goes into effect. According to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles website, they have partnered with the Florida Department of Transportation and law enforcement partners in an effort to educate people about the changes to the distracted driving law.
Section 316.305, Florida Statutes allows law enforcement to stop motor vehicles and deliver tickets to travelers that are texting and driving. An individual may not operate a motor vehicle while physically keying in or inputting multiple letters, numbers or symbols into a mobile communications device to text, email, and instant message.
Section 316.306, Florida Statutes, is a prohibition on utilizing wireless communications devices in a handheld manner in school and work zone. An individual may not operate a motor vehicle while using a wireless communications device in a handheld manner in a designated school crossing, school zone or active work zone area.
For years, Rue & Ziffra has been promoting our Text Free Zone program. This program was designed to help Floridians in our local community understand the dangers of texting and driving. With our one-of-a-kind Text Free Zone simulator we have been able to get into the local schools and prove to kids how important it is to put the phone down while driving.
Rue & Ziffra President Allan Ziffra had this to say, “As technology progresses, people rely on their phones more and more. Statistics have shown that even with the implementation of laws and “Don’t text and drive campaigns”, the number of accidents, injuries, and deaths from distracted drivers continues to increase. As a result, the State of Florida has now made it a traffic moving violation to be texting while you are operating a motor vehicle. Starting today, a police officer can pull you over for texting and driving and assess points against your driving record. No longer is texting and driving a secondary violation that a police officer can only charge you if he pulls you over for another reason. Please don’t text and drive. The life you save could be yours, a neighbor’s or your own family member.” Rue & Ziffra welcomes this new law and we will continue to spread the message and hopefully save a life.