As incredible as it may seem, Florida has yet to address the issue of texting while operating a motor vehicle “a dangerous instrumentality” until this week. Many news sources are eager to report that this week a bill has already passed the Florida Senate that could make texting while driving illegal in Florida.
I would submit that this so much more newsworthy because of how long it has taken Florida’s legislature to finally address this very serious omission in their motor vehicle laws. And we’re not just referring to local and state wide news reporting agencies; the Senate’s move to unanimously pass a bill, (I repeat, long overdue), has been picked up nationwide; for instance by: The Chicago Tribune, The Seattle Post Intelligencer, The San Francisco Chronicle, The Houston Chronicle, Patch.com, The Miami Herald, UPI.com, The Global Dispatch, among many others.
Frankly, the fact that a law addressing the dangerously distracting activity of texting while driving is probably not as news worthy as why it has taken this long for Florida to finally address it. I have blogged about this topic in the past and as best as I could discern Florida’s legislature has dismissed the need for a specific bill addressing “texting while driving” as unnecessary, in light of several motor vehicle statutes that address careless or reckless driving habits. Frankly, that explanation and excuse is just not satisfactory and this is long overdue legislation.
Unfortunately, Florida has a reputation for being late on many consumer protection issues over the years. So it is with much appreciation that this very serious ill behavior has finally been addressed, and hopefully will be passed by the House as well.
For further information please free to contact the Weston Auto Accident Attorneys at the Schulman Law Group at 954-349-3300, 1-877-529-0444 or at info@www.schulaw.com
