Florida Governor Signs Tougher Texting Bill Into Law

SARASOTA, FL — Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a new tougher texting bill into state law Friday during a ceremony outside Sarasota High School. The bill will be an important tool for law enforcement agencies around the state to combat distracted driving on Florida roads and highways. The law takes effect on July 1.

"I wish I could prevent every accident but it's my hope that by taking action to address distracted driving today that we will be able to make our roads safer," the governor told a crowd outside the high school that included representatives of local law enforcement agencies.

The location of Friday's ceremony was chosen to reflect the importance of preventing teens from becoming victims of distracted driving and to highlight the portion of the new law that addresses school crossings and school zones.

"We're honored to be the place that was chosen," Kelsey Whealy of Sarasota County Schools told Patch. "It's important to our students and our community."

The bill was one of 10 sent from the Florida legislature Thursday for the governor's signature. DeSantis technically had until May 31 to act on the bills but he chose to sign the texting bill one day after receiving it.

Officially designated as CS/HB 107 Wireless Communications While Driving bill, the measure makes texting while driving a primary traffic offense punishable by fines in Florida. It will also prohibit a person from operating a motor vehicle while using a handheld "wireless communications device" in a designated school crossing, school zone or work zone.

Under previous law, officers could only cite drivers for texting if they were pulled over for some other violation. The new law will allow officers to stop motorists for simply texting.

A first offense will be punishable by a $30 fine, with a second offense costing $60. Court costs and fees also will also apply. Warnings will be given until January, when officers can begin writing their first citations.

Friday's bill-signing ceremony took place outside the school administration building at 2155 Bahia Vista Street in Sarasota.

Other bills sent to DeSantis include::

• HB 861 - Local Government Financial Reporting
• CS/CS/HB 901 - City of West Palm Beach, Palm Beach County
• HB 1065 – Melbourne-Tillman Water Control District, Brevard County
• CS/CS/HB 1067 - City of Pensacola and Escambia County
• CS/HB 1203 - Lakewood Ranch Stewardship District, Manatee and Sarasota Counties
• HB 1323 - City of Tampa, Hillsborough County
• HB 1373 - Hillsborough County Civil Service Act
• HB 1417 – Melbourne-Tillman Water Control District, Brevard County
• CS/HB 1423 - Pinellas County Construction Licensing Board

The Associated Press contributed to this report.