TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) - Another bill up for discussion in Florida aims at cracking down on distracted driving.
The law would make texting and driving a primary offense. Under the bill, first-time violators would face a $30 fine plus court costs for a non-moving violation.
That fee increases to $60 and comes with three points on a driver's license on the second offense within five years of the first. You can read the full text of the bill here.
The House Transportation & Infrastructure Subcommittee approved the measure (HB 33), which would permit police officers to do a traffic stop when they see drivers texting and driving.
Demetrius Branca's son was killed by a distracted driver. His mission now to spread awareness on the issue.
Branca says strengthening distracted driver laws would help strengthen other current laws such as the move over law.
"Police officers are getting killed or maimed because of distracted drivers and so we have a multitude of laws, 'Move over Laws'. Why can't we strengthen the distracted driver laws?" said Branca. "Get to the cause of it instead of the symptoms."
Those against it say, it infringes on civil liberties, saying an officer shouldn't have the right to look into a vehicle. Some opponents also believe it could lead to racial profiling.
