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Highlands Today

Legislation could target texting drivers

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By BRAD DICKERSON

Highlands Today

Published: November 16, 2009

SEBRING - Texting is unquestionably one of the most popular forms of communication in the 21st century.

One of most popular topics among Florida legislators this fall is finally getting legislation passed banning drivers from sending text messages and using cell phones while behind the wheel, according to a News Service of Florida report.

"I would certainly hope that the number of people interested in this legislation now, that we might at least get a hearing on these bills," said Rep. Jane Long, D-Seminole, whose measure banning driving while texting recently came out of House bill-drafting. "But if we don't, I think it'll show how powerful the cell phone lobby is."

Some type of ban on hand-held communications has been proposed each of the past seven years, the report stated. Last year, the few bills filed failed to draw even a committee meeting.

Florida Highway Patrol Lt. Chris Miller said statistics are low for accidents caused by cell phone use and texting.

That's only because most people won't admit they were sending a text message or talking on the phone just before a crash occurred. In reality, according to Miller, the numbers are much higher.

"Most people are reluctant to admit they caused the crash," he said. "There is an increasing amount of crashes that are related to distractive driving."

Distractive driving is not limited to just hand-held communication devices, according to Miller. It also includes talking with others in the car, eating and putting on makeup.

Still, it is cell phones and drivers' continuing refusal to hang up while behind the wheel that has state legislatures' attention.

Sen. Carey Baker, R-Eustis, was an early advocate of banning texting while driving, first introducing legislation two years ago, according to the News Service report.

Baker already has two bills filed that prohibit texting while driving and plans to come back with a repeat of earlier legislation that would ban motorists younger than 18 from using any kind of electronic wireless communications while driving, the report stated.

"It's slowly been building," Baker said of support for taking steps against hand-held devices behind the wheel. "But I think this year, something's going to pass."

Miller said other technological advances besides cell phones have led to more distractive driving. He recognizes that GPS units are valuable tools for motorists, but drivers should enter their route before heading out on the road and not while they're driving at 55 miles an hour.

He also advises that if drivers do have to text or take a phone call while behind the wheel that they pull over and do so.

Whatever happens in the next legislative session, Miller said the FHP would support any initiative that would help make the roads safer.

"We're trying to put the word out that (texting while driving) is dangerous," he said.

Highlands Today reporter Brad Dickerson can be reached at (863) 386-5838 or bdickerson@highlandstoday.com

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