Efforts to strengthen Florida’s stance against distracted driving are gaining momentum, as advocates intensify their push for stricter regulations. A new legislative initiative is underway in Tampa, Florida, where lawmakers have introduced a pair of bills aimed at enhancing the state’s current laws on texting and driving.
These proposed “hands-free” bills would compel drivers to keep their phones out of their hands, introducing penalties such as fines and potential license suspensions for non-compliance. Michelle Avola-Brown, the coordinator for Hands Free Florida, emphasizes the urgency of this initiative, stating, “We have to get this passed this year.”
Currently, Florida law prohibits texting while driving and restricts the use of handheld devices in designated school and work zones. However, the new proposals, SB 1152 and HB 1241, seek to expand on these regulations. The bills would permit drivers to make brief touches to their devices only for actions like initiating or ending a call, provided these functions are otherwise conducted hands-free, such as through Bluetooth technology.
“We have to get this passed this year,” said Michelle Avola-Brown, coordinator for Hands Free Florida.
It’s already illegal to text while driving, and drivers are banned from using any handheld device while in a school or work zone.
SB 1152 and HB 1241 would allow for brief touches to start or end a function like activating a hands-free accessory, but anything longer must remain hands-free like over Bluetooth.
Avola-Brown said this is the third attempt to pass the bill in the state legislature.
From online shopping, playing video games and sending images through social media, Avola-Brown said far too many people are being harmed and killed from distracted drivers.
As executive director of the Naples Pathways Coalitions, which aims to make it safer for people who bike, walk or run, Avola-Brown said too many pedestrians are also being harmed.
“The heartbroken family members that would call me sharing these horrific stories of husbands being completely run over, wives, grown children, younger children,” Avola-Brown said. “I just could not handle all the calls that I was getting and not do something to make a positive change.”
Under the proposal, drivers could face a $150 fine for a first violation, a $250 fine for a second violation and a $500 fine for a third violation, along with a 90-day license suspension.
Angela Nunez of Tampa relies on her bicycle for transportation and work as a delivery driver. She said she has encountered far too many run-ins with distracted drivers.
“I think it’s a really big problem. I really do, and especially in Tampa Bay,” Nunez said.
Preliminary data from 2024 shows nearly 300 people died in Florida and more than 2,200 people suffered serious injuries because of a distracted driver, according to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles.
State officials also said one in seven crashes are a result of distracted driving.
Avola-Brown said the current legislation doesn’t go far enough and feels passing the legislation could save lives.
“I just want everyone to understand that whatever it is that we think we need to do just real quick, it can wait. It can wait till we’re safely pulled over. It can wait till we are at our destination,” Avola-Brown said.
According to Hands Free Florida, 34 other states have “hands-free” laws in place that prohibit holding a device while driving on all roads. This includes neighboring states like Georgia and Alabama.
