Skip to Content
Streetsblog New York City home
Streetsblog New York City home
Log In
Streetsblog

Florida Finally Bans Texting and Driving, Sort of

No one's going to accuse Florida of being a safe streets pioneer. But yesterday, the Sunshine State took a "baby step" forward, as one advocate put it, becoming 42nd state to pass a law making texting and driving illegal.

false

Kathryn Moore at Transit Miami says the law still leaves a lot to be desired, but it's better than nothing:

In Florida, texting while driving is only a secondary offense, meaning law enforcement can’t pull you over solely for the action. The ticket itself is only $30, but multiple offenses become moving violations and add points to your license/ raise your insurance premiums.

In Florida, it remains just fine to text or drop an email when you’re at a red light – which sounds okay until you realize that motorists are obliged to check for people still in crosswalks as well as green lights. It’s also fine to take calls, change your Pandora station or use Google Maps.

U.S. DOT says in 2011, 3331 people were killed in collisions involving a distracted driver.

Elsewhere on the Network today: The Dallas Morning News Transportation Blog carries the results of a poll finding that Texans are willing to pay more for better road maintenance. The Bike League reports that the roughly 35,000 cyclists participating in this year's National Bike Challenge logged a combined total of about 18 million miles. And Global Site Plans explains how Bogota, Colombia, established itself as a global leader on sustainable and equitable transportation.

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Streetsblog New York City

State DOT Scraps Cross Bronx Expansion Road On Highway Repair Plan

The state Department of Transportation will not build a "traffic diversion" structure next to the Cross Bronx Expressway — a highway expansion project that Streetsblog exposed.

October 9, 2025

Mamdani Vows To Defy DOT Insiders, Political Bosses To Pursue His Streets Agenda

Mamdani pledged stand up to bureaucrats and political power players who oppose his plans to make streets safer and buses faster.

October 9, 2025

Want Safety in Central Park? Add Protected Bike Lanes Around and Through It: Advocates

It's time to ring the park with green paint — and add green veins through it.

October 9, 2025

State DOT’s Highway Habit Ignores Emissions Mandate: Report

The state's highway-centric transportation agency is still flouting the 2020 state climate law, and is doing little to change course, according to a lawyers' group.

October 9, 2025

Thursday’s Headlines: Mayor on a Bus Edition

Lots of reporters rode the bus with the future mayor. Plus other news.

October 9, 2025

MONEY TRAIN: How LIRR Unions ‘Game’ The System

An old work rule means that the MTA would have to pay millions of dollars just to provide a little extra service after special events like Mets games or the Ryder Cup. Nolan Hicks dives deep.

October 8, 2025
See all posts