What The New Texting While Driving Law Really Means
The law that bans texting while driving went into effect on January 1st, but can you even hold your phone while you are driving? What about at a red light? Here are things you need to know about the new law.
If you are in a work zone or a school zone you cannot hold your phone at all or you will get a ticket.
If you are at a red light or sitting still in your car you can use your phone
Can you check directions on your phone? If you are in a work or school zone you can as long as it is for designated safety reasons, like checking your GPS or calling law enforcement to report suspicious activity.
You can use voice texting as long as you are not pressing buttons. You can voice texting at all time including in work and school zones.
You don’t have to show an officer your phone if they ask. The officer is required to tell drivers of their rights to decline a search.
Tickets will cost $30 for a first offense plus court costs. A second offense will cost $60 with five years. Texting in a work or school zone will cost $60 and three points on your driver’s license.
NO TEXTING WHILE DRIVING: It’s ticket time for motorists who insist on texting while driving. Starting January 1, 2020, Florida drivers can be cited for doing so. DETAILS: https://t.co/QMI8fzm0gp pic.twitter.com/Uw0G7pdRna
— FOX 13 Tampa Bay (@FOX13News) January 1, 2020
