On any given day, someone can be seen texting on their cell phone while driving.
But if lawmakers get a new bill passed, texting and driving will be against the law in Florida.
"Myself, in high school, I was texting and driving, and I hit a car right in front of me, and it was pretty bad," said Tampa driver Ashley
Acosta. "It's not worth it to send a message when you can just wait until you get to a stoplight."
After years of trying, the Legislature seems poised to pass an anti-texting bill - although many critics say the law it would create is too
watered down.
The Senate voted 36-0 in favor of the bill earlier this month, and the House has a week left in the session to get it passed.
The way the bill is written, texting at a red light would be OK. But as long as you're car is in motion, you can't text.
The current law in the House would also make texting and driving a secondary offense. That means a law enforcement officer would have to
see you violating another traffic law before he or she could turn on the blue lights.
Some people say the law is long overdue in Florida.
“I'm from New Jersey, and texting and being on our cell phone is illegal, and I believe Florida needs that law," driver Emily Hulse said.
Currently, 39 states ban texting while driving. Supporters of the law hope Florida will soon join the ranks.
What's your opinion? Do you think the law is too watered down?
Leave your comments below!
Baynew9.com
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