Florida governor signs ban on texting while driving

TALLAHASSEE, Fla., May 29 (UPI) -- Gov. Rick Scott has signed a bill into law making Florida the 41st state to ban texting while driving.

Those ticketed for sending texts or emails face a $30 fine plus court costs for the first offense and $60 for the second offense, the South Florida Sun Sentinel reported Wednesday.

However, violators could only be cited if they are stopped for some other infraction.

"It's certainly not a cure-all, but it's certainly a step in the right direction," said Broward County Sheriff Scott Israel of the ban, which goes into effect Oct. 1.

Of 257,912 crashes reported in 2012, the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles said 196 involved drivers who were texting at the time. Nine serious injuries and one death were reported in those crashes.