TALLAHASSEE, Fla., Dec. 12 (UPI) -- Sending text messages while driving would be banned in Florida under a measure sponsored by a state senator.
The proposed ban, sponsored by Sen. Nancy Detert, a Republican from Venice, would make texting while driving a secondary offense, meaning law enforcement could not pull over motorists solely for texting but a citation for texting could be given along with one for other offenses, such as speeding or reckless driving, The Miami Herald and St. Petersburg Times Tallahassee Bureau reported.
Texting while driving is already illegal in most other states. The penalties vary.
Detert has sponsored proposed texting bans twice before and calls the measure a "no-brainer."
"I am a big fan of personal freedom, doing whatever you want in your own automobile, as long as you're not taking me out with you," she told the Senate Transportation Committee.
Under the bill, which the committee approved 10-0, motorists would receive a $30 fine for a first violation and a $60 fine for a second. Six points would be assessed to a driver's license if use of a wireless device resulted in a crash.
Bans on texting while driving have received widespread public support and lobbyists for AAA, AT&T and AARP have backed the Florida measure.
"It's time that we caught up with the rest of the nation because texting is addictive," said Sen. Arthenia Joyner, D-Tampa.
