Texting while driving recently became illegal in Florida, so it is important for motorists to understand the new laws and the effects they are having statewide.
Texting while driving is a secondary offense, which means that law enforcement officers cannot pull you over or issue a ticket for texting alone. However, if you are pulled over for a driving offense while texting, you may receive an additional fine of up to $30 for a first citation.
Some exceptions to the new texting while driving ban include the following:
Although the penalties for violating the new texting while driving ban are relatively minor when compared to those for violating other driving regulations, Florida law officials have vowed to engage in strict enforcement. Additionally, there is considerable discussion throughout the state about making texting a primary driving offense, which could result in much higher fines or other types of legal penalties in the future.
If you’ve been accused of texting while driving or another traffic violation, you may need to work with an Orlando attorney to explore your legal options.