Florida Senate - 2009                                    SB 1990
       
       
       
       By Senator Deutch
       
       
       
       
       30-00362B-09                                          20091990__
    1                        A bill to be entitled                      
    2         An act relating to certain prohibited activities in
    3         motor vehicles; prohibiting reading, writing, or the
    4         use of wireless communications devices while operating
    5         a motor vehicle; providing exceptions; providing
    6         penalties; providing an effective date.
    7         
    8  Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:
    9         
   10         Section 1. Cellular telephones.—
   11         (1) Except as provided in subsection (2), a person may not
   12  operate a motor vehicle on the highways of this state while
   13  reading, manually writing, or sending a text message on a
   14  wireless communications device.
   15         (2) Subsection (1) does not apply to a person operating:
   16         (a) An authorized emergency vehicle; or
   17         (b) A moving motor vehicle while using an electronic
   18  wireless communications device to:
   19         1. Report illegal activities;
   20         2. Summon medical or other emergency help; or
   21         3. Prevent injury or damage to a person or property.
   22         (3) Any person who violates subsection (1) commits a
   23  noncriminal moving traffic violation and shall pay a fine of
   24  $100 for the first offense, $250 for the second offense, and
   25  $500 for the third or subsequent offense.
   26         Section 2. This act shall take effect July 1, 2009.