ORLANDO, Fla. -- For this week’s Traffic Inbox, we fielded a question about a Facebook post that has been making the rounds, leaving at least one viewer confused.
- Post circulating online has drivers concerned
- Claims you can be pulled over for holding cell phone
- Not true, per Florida law
Warren Byron says he's been seeing a post about having a cell phone in your hand while driving. It claims law enforcement can now pull you over for just holding a phone in your hand while driving.
The post also claims there is a $250 fine and points will be added to your license. It also warns drivers that this goes into effect starting Monday.
So, is it true? The short answer is no!
As it stands now, the only law in Florida that pertains to driving with a phone in hand has to do with texting and driving. And even that is only a secondary offense, meaning you can't get pulled over for it.
That almost changed though at the beginning of this year.
Back in February, the Florida House passed a bill nearly unanimously that would have made texting while driving a primary offense. However, that bill stalled in the state Senate. For now, troopers still find themselves busy writing up plenty of violations.
"Sometimes, it leads from a seat belt violation or something as small as a tag light being out,” said Sgt Derrick Rahming of the Florida Highway Patrol. “But you can always see it, because whenever that phone is in someone's hand, you can see it illuminated when someone is pressing on the buttons on the phone."
This month Georgia, Florida's closest neighbor, will become the 16th state to issue tickets to a driver just for holding a cell phone in their hand--even at a red light.
Could that be coming soon to our state? Law enforcement says a law like that would make drivers safer, forcing them to be more aware.
"If you have your hands on your cell phone instead of your steering wheel, then that's going to be a safety problem for everyone," said Rahming.
Thanks for your question Warren!
And if you at home have a traffic issue or problem that you want looked at or solved, head to mynews13.com/trafficinbox and just fill out the simple form.