Texting while driving is dangerous and deadly. Texting can wait. Studies show that texting while driving can be even more dangerous than drinking and driving. Texting while driving requires you to take your eyes off the road and at least one hand off the wheel. The clear life-threatening danger associated with texting while driving has rightfully caused the social stigma associated with texting while driving to grow much like the social stigma associated with drinking and driving.
Texting while driving used to be generally accepted until it became apparent that the mixture of texting and driving can kill and has been responsible for countless deaths and life-altering, serious personal injuries. Florida Ticket Firm and its experienced lawyers know the many defenses to a texting-while-driving citation. Depending on your circumstances, there are many technical and legal arguments that might render a texting-while-driving ticket subject to dismissal. Please don’t text while driving, but if you’re facing a texting-while-driving ticket, we can help.
Contact our firm for a free consultation!
Texting while driving cannot be justified when weighing the catastrophic consequences that can befall the texter as well as innocent victims. No matter what your text message, it can wait. Or if it can’t wait, pull over and text while you are safely stopped. Texting while driving has become so commonplace that it has regrettably become a habit for many.
Despite the warnings and the numerous public campaigns against texting while driving, many people cannot resist the urge for immediate communication and the temptation to text while driving. Currently, texting while driving is not a primary traffic offense, and a law enforcement officer cannot pull someone over simply for texting while driving. However, the number of texting while driving tickets is likely to increase as an additional ticket is issued simultaneously while law enforcement issues citations for primary criminal traffic offenses such as careless driving and failure to drive with due care.
While texting while driving is wrong, Florida’s texting while driving law and those enforcing it can cause many to be wrongfully accused of texting while driving. This is where our experienced attorneys can help you successfully fight these citations. In some cases, you may even receive a careless driving charge, in addition to a texting-while-driving charge. If this happens, we have defense attorneys ready to fight for you on careless driving tickets.
Distracted driving is a leading cause of accidents on American roads, with texting while driving being one of the most dangerous behaviors. In Florida, the use of wireless communication devices while driving is regulated by Florida Statute 316.305. This statute explicitly prohibits drivers from typing, sending, or reading messages on a wireless communication device while operating a motor vehicle. It also prohibits holding or touching such devices while driving through designated school crossings, school zones, or work zones.
Violators of the statute may be subject to fines and points on their driver’s license. For repeat offenders, the consequences can be more severe, potentially leading to license suspension. As such, it is crucial for drivers to understand the law and adopt safe driving practices to reduce the risk of accidents and protect themselves and others on the road.
In Florida, the cost of a texting-while-driving ticket may vary depending on the county in which the offense occurred. The base fine for a first offense is $30, with an additional $60 cost for court fees and fees for attending a driver improvement course. A second offense within five years carries a base fine of $60, with a total cost of $166 including court and course fees. Additionally, a conviction for texting while driving will result in three points on the driver’s license. It’s important to note that the costs and points incurred may change, and individuals should consult their local authorities for the most up-to-date information.
If you have received a citation for texting while driving, Florida Ticket Firm will do our best to have it dismissed. We represent clients from throughout Florida. For a free initial consultation, contact us online or call (813) 276-6000. Se habla Español.
