That roadside encounter, in November, was the exception rather than the rule when it comes to enforcing a new Florida law against texting and driving. With a flourish, Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a new law in 2019 making texting while driving a primary traffic offense in Florida, with a $30 fine for a first offense that routinely climbs to over $100. “It’ll make our roads safer,” DeSantis said.
But the new law against texting is rarely enforced, according to official state figures. Florida also has failed its requirements under the law to track comprehensively how many drivers are ticketed statewide – and whether police are targeting minorities. Those in charge of writing tickets also complained that the young law has too many loopholes.
That roadside encounter, in November, was the exception rather than the rule when it comes to enforcing a new Florida law against texting and driving. With a flourish, Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a new law in 2019 making texting while driving a primary traffic offense in Florida, with a $30 fine for a first offense that routinely climbs to over $100. “It’ll make our roads safer,” DeSantis said.
But the new law against texting is rarely enforced, according to official state figures. Florida also has failed its requirements under the law to track comprehensively how many drivers are ticketed statewide – and whether police are targeting minorities. Those in charge of writing tickets also complained that the young law has too many loopholes.
Driving Change: Florida’s texting-while-driving law rarely enforced
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed made texting while driving primary traffic offense in 2019
Christopher Cann Of Fresh Take Florida News Service
Associated Press
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GAINESVILLE, Fla. – A Hillsborough County sheriff’s deputy was heading east on Interstate 4 in his red Dodge Charger on a brilliantly sunny afternoon in Florida when he saw him: A young driver behind the wheel of a Jeep texting on his phone.
The deputy, Donald Hess, didn’t hit his lights and siren right away. He watched over more than a mile while he pulled around both sides of the Jeep, he said, as the driver kept texting before he pulled him over on the I-4 shoulder. When the driver rolled down his window, the deputy waved away a cloud of smoke.
This frame grab from police body cam video shows Hillsborough County sheriff s deputy Donald Hess gesturing to driver Antonio Sims Jr., 25, of Tampa during a traffic stop along Interstate 4 on Nov. 18, 2020. Hess ticketed Sims $113 for violating Florida s new texting-while-driving law, which is rarely enforced statewide.
A Hillsborough County sheriff s deputy was heading east on Interstate 4 in his red Dodge Charger on a brilliantly sunny afternoon in Florida when he saw him: A young driver behind the wheel of a Jeep texting on his phone.
The deputy, Donald Hess, didn t hit his lights and siren right away. He watched over more than a mile while he pulled around both sides of the Jeep, he said, as the driver kept texting before he pulled him over on the I-4 shoulder. When the driver rolled down his window, the deputy waved away a cloud of smoke.
Florida students reflect on anniversary of pandemic shutdown
Florida students reflect on anniversary of pandemic shutdown
MELEAH LYDEN and ALYSSA FELICIANO of Fresh Take Florida news service, Fresh Take Florida, a news service of the University of Florida
March 12, 2021
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This photo provided by Meleah Lyden/Fresh Take Florida shows University of Florida student London Don Balcita at Opus Coffee on Thursday, March 11, 2021 in Gainesville, Fla. When the coronavirus pandemic hit Florida a year ago, colleges and universities shut down in the middle of the semester. Students were left to navigate their coursework online. Some, like London “Don Balcita, say they were lost for a while. (Meleah Lyden/Fresh Take Florida via AP)Meleah Lyden/AP