A new proposed law that has been submitted to the Florida Congress this year, highlights the request to ban the controversial use of the cell phone while driving to the inconceivable putting make-up in the middle of traffic.
In fact, the proposal was presented by the Republican senator Wilton Simpson and approved by the senatorial committee of Innovation, Industry
The Republican senator has been joined by nine legislators from the highest legislative body in the state, including five Democrats, including Senator Annette Taddeo of Miami.
During the senatorial hearing, studies and testimonies were presented that testify to the danger of practicing certain activities during the handling of a vehicle, which could result in accidents and even the death of drivers, passengers and passers-by.
Simpson argued that “the distraction behind the wheel has become an epidemic and not only involves collisions between cars, but cyclists and those who walk the streets of cities and towns.”
Currently, state law “considers illegal” the use of the cell phone while driving a vehicle but the driver can only be fined if he is stopped for “another infraction”.
Simpson’s proposal “would make cell phone use a first-order fault,” which means that the driver can be stopped by the police or highway patrol and fined specifically for that infraction.
However, the use of hands-free cell phones, which are connected to the vehicle’s audio equipment, would be allowed.
On the other hand, drivers may look at their cell phones as long as the vehicle is not moving, such as while waiting for a green light or standing in a parking lot.
Relatives of the deceased due to an accident due to the use of a cell phone attended the senatorial committee hearing to testify. That was the case of Debbie Wanninkhof, who lost her 25-year-old son during an accident caused by someone speaking on the phone.
“We need to do something to face the danger of cell phone addicts,” he said. “The use of the cell phone is an addiction for many. And just like drug addiction, it can be deadly, “he reflected.
Meanwhile, the Republican state representative Jackie Toledo has presented a similar proposal in the lower house, as indicated by the law, and although the president of the legislative body, the Republican José Oliva, has not yet been studied, he anticipated that he will be submitted to the corresponding committee.
