The state of Florida seems to be jumping on the bandwagon of banning the use of cell phones while driving. State House Bill 41 states, “No person shall operate a moving motor vehicle while reading, manually writing or typing, or sending a message on an electronic wireless communications device.” This will go in effect starting October 1, 2010. With fourteen states already banning texting while driving, this issue is not new. Even so, most college students can be found guilty one time or another of violating the law.
Due to the increased variety of distractions while driving, should cell phones really be the lead target? Florida House members joined forces Wednesday, Feb. 17, 2010 in Tallahassee to discuss the new bill. Rep. Steve Precourt, R-Orlando, believes that this bill has the right idea, but is going too far, stating, “There’s lots of different things that we could lump into the same category of significant distractions,” he said. “If we’re going to deal with this particular issue, then I suggest that we also look at the laundry list of other issues and make a conscious decision on where to draw the line with a group of things as opposed to just picking out one specific issue.”
Rep. Richard Steinberg, D-Miami Beach disagrees with Precourt, showing the familiarities of texting while driving to drunk driving. Steinburg states, “Basically you’re telling people if you believe you can do it safely, go ahead and do it if you make it secondary,” Steinberg said. “We don’t take that position with drinking. There are probably people would tell you when I drink, I can drive. You shouldn’t tell me that I shouldn’t drink and drive because I feel ok.”
With the law being so broad, it will be difficult to enforce. Rep. Mike Horner, R-Kissimmee, explains, “It's important we pass something this year and maybe tread lightly." Horner continues, "Texting as a secondary offense may be a good first step."
It’s unclear as to where the line needs be drawn on this issue. There are too many other distractions while in a car to just pick out one, such as drinking coffee or changing the radio station. Any one of these actions could result in an accident. It’s unfair that cell phones are taking the hit.
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