Texting ban passes Senate, (Miami: 2013, car insurance, law)

[NCtoMiami]

Texting ban passes Senate, goes to Gov. Rick Scott - South Florida Sun-Sentinel.com


I am happy that at least something is done. My question is who is going to enforce this law. You are suppose to have DL and car Ins we have so many people who didn't get that memo.

[JacobMAX]

At last. Alleluia! The P.D.'s I believe, mainly; as it was implied at the end of the article. But it still has to go through Scott, but he's generally more or less reasonable, so it will nearly certainly go through with no issues.

[Not_liking_FL]

This is a small step in the right direction but the law is so watered down it's almost useless.

[JacobMAX]

It's true, they watered it down a lot, it isn't as proper as it should be...but I was thinking this would still take (a few) years to become law, it's still something significant though.

[Icantdance]

They have it in GA and it does nothing.

[Coconut1]

Originally Posted by NCtoMiami

My question is who is going to enforce this law.

Nobody because with all the watering down it's practically worthless.

[perry335654]

It is pretty useless because even if the officer sees you texting he can't do anything unless there is another violation.

It reminds me of the seat belt laws when they initially started, even if the seatbelts were clearly not being worn and could be seen by the officer, nothing was done until a violation, now that has changed and same will subsequently happen with texting.

[JacobMAX]

Originally Posted by perry335654

It is pretty useless because even if the officer sees you texting he can't do anything unless there is another violation.

It reminds me of the seat belt laws when they initially started, even if the seatbelts were clearly not being worn and could be seen by the officer, nothing was done until a violation, now that has changed and same will subsequently happen with texting.

Officers generally put another traffic violation(s) together - as a good number of people who text and drive do; like reckless driving, careless driving, improper lane change, unlawful speed, etc. That's how some people in Traffic Enforcement/Traffic Unit do. Then they call pull them over and explain the violations done, citation, etc., no issue.

But they don't have enough Traffic units (units this time I mean Police vehicles on the street) in most Police Departments down in SoFL. They should also have better Volunteer/Auxiliary/Reserve Services, it would help (with these issues too and others). Unfortunately most P.D.'s don't have proper ones, not to mention some are barely getting by due to financial reasons.

[Alex =]]

Originally Posted by Icantdance

They have it in GA and it does nothing.

It lowered their car insurance.