Florida proposes bill to ban handheld phone use while driving

A proposed bill in Florida aims to make roads safer by banning the use of handheld phones while driving, addressing the nearly 300 deaths caused by distracted driving in 2023, according to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles.

Jack Alexander from Cape Coral emphasized the need for drivers to be more aware.

"People need to be more aware of, you know, what they're doing while they're driving. It's pretty wild out there is, you know, in Florida driving," Alexander said.

The "hands-free" law would extend existing regulations that prohibit texting while driving, making it illegal to hold any wireless device.

Syndi Bultman, a high-risk driver program coordinator, highlighted the dangers, stating, "You have no clue what was anywhere around you, because you were looking at that text message, and 37% of your brain is on that phone. So you're not paying attention."

Rick Rivera from Cape Coral shared his observations, saying, "I've seen accidents happen because of this," while holding a phone.

The bill proposes that holding a phone in your hand or on your lap could be grounds for an officer to stop you.

Bultman added, "If you're driving down that road when looking around, you can tell how many people have you seen laughing at their crotch because they're reading something down there?"

The proposed legislation would impose a $500 fine for drivers who accumulate three violations.

William Pabey from Cape Coral expressed a different view, saying, "Oh no, I don't think they should fine them. They should make them aware of it, you know."

In contrast, Barbara Pfrogner, also from Cape Coral, supported the fines, stating, "There have to be fines for it. And people will learn. You can see the same thing sitting there as you can, holding it probably better," as she demonstrated with a phone holder in her car.

If passed, Florida would join 29 other states with handheld phone bans in October.

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