AAA Wants Florida Legislators to Ban Texting While Driving

AAA is backing bills to ban texting while driving, require booster seats for children through their fifth year and for legislators not to divert money from transportation projects to patch holes in the state budget for the upcoming legislative session.

AAA urges Floridians to get involved by contacting their state legislators and asking them to take action on these issues during the 2012 legislative session, Kevin Bakewell, AAA chief public affairs officer, stated in a release. AAA continues to work with legislators and other safety advocates to draft and pass legislation in 2012 that will make our roads safer.

AAAs legislative priorities in Florida include:

Booster seat laws: Florida is one of only three states that lack a booster seat requirement for children. Booster seats are proven to improve safety for young passengers. Current Florida law requires child restraint devices for children through the age of 5, but for ages 4 through 5, a safety belt may be used in lieu of a booster seat. The booster seat bill is sponsored by Sen. Thad Altman, R-Melbourne, and Reps. Steinberg, D-Miami Beach, and Frishe, R-Belleair Bluffs. The Senate bill (SB 196) has already passed two of its three committees. The House bill (HB 151) has more than 50 co-sponsors to date, but has yet to be heard in a committee.

Texting while driving bans: In 2009, AAA launched a national campaign to pass laws that ban text messaging while driving in all 50 states. There are now 35 states with laws that prohibit drivers of all ages from texting while driving. Sen. Nancy Detert, R-Venice, and Rep. Ray Pilon, R-Sarasota, have filed legislation to ban texting while driving in Florida. The Senate bill (SB 416) has passed the Transportation Committee and will be up in the Communications, Energy, and Public Utilities Committee next week. The House bill (HB 299) has not been heard in a committee.

Protect the State Transportation Trust Fund: AAA opposes any use of dollars in the State Transportation Trust Fund (STTF) for purposes other than transportation. The STTF is funded primarily from state fuel taxes and is designed to pay for safety improvements to current roads and bridges; build additional roads, bridges and highways in order to relieve congestion; and to improve ports, airports and other transportation infrastructure to improve travel safety and help Florida grow and prosper."