Can I Get Pulled Over For Texting While Driving In Florida?

Unlike in most other states, using your cell phone while you’re driving in Florida isn’t illegal. Recent changes to Florida law have, however, made texting while driving illegal. Does this mean that you can get pulled over for texting while you’re driving?

While the new law is the first in Florida to address the issue of distracted driving, the texting while driving law is a secondary offense. This means you will only get a citation if you were initially pulled over for another offense. So, if you were speeding and texting at the same time, and you get pulled over for speeding, the police can also give you a citation for texting while driving. If you’re texting while driving but you’re not breaking any other laws, you can’t be given a citation.

While the fact that it’s a secondary offence may make it more difficult for law enforcement officials to hand out citations for texting while driving, it is one of the main causes of distracted driving. Last year in Florida, more than 3,400 motor vehicle crashes and 24 fatalities occurred because of distracted driving. Driving while distracted can have significant consequences, and even though you can only get a citation for texting while driving if you were initially pulled over for another offense, it doesn’t mean you won’t be found negligent in the event of an accident.

Distracted driving is a common cause of accidents across the United States. If you’ve been injured as a result of an accident involving a distracted driver, schedule a free consultation with a Tampa accident attorney to discuss your entitlement to compensation.