Senators Back Anti-Texting and Driving Bill that Remains Idle in House

A bill to make texting while driving illegal in Florida, SB 416, even if just as a secondary offense, cleared the Senate Budget Committee Tuesday, steering the effort toward the Senate floor.

However, the effort may again have to wait a year as the companion bill in the House, HB 299, has failed to get any traction this session in any committee.

House leadership has held steady against imposing additional regulations on motorists.

Under the bill introduced by Sen. Nancy Detert, R-Venice, who has proposed such a measure three times, texting itself wouldnt be enough of an offense for a motorist to be pulled over, but a ticket would be issued as a secondary offense if law enforcement sees the driver texting or reading texts while committing another offense, such as speeding or reckless driving.

The fine would be $30 for a first offense.

A motorist could still check texts while the car is idling.