New Texting & Driving Legislation Continuing in Florida’s Legislature, Despite Racial Profiling Concerns

By: Mike Vasilinda | Capitol News Service
January 23, 2018

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (CNS) -- Police being able to stop you for texting while driving, without first observing another violation, is one step closer to becoming law in Florida. But, African American lawmakers worry the change could open the door to harassment by police.

State Senator Bobby Powell (D - West Palm Beach) used to be a police dispatcher, and he says he's been on the wrong end of a police stop at night.

"I was verbally abused, yelled at, cursed at," Powell said.

His opposition to stronger anti-texting legislation prompted Demetrius Branca, who's son Anthony died after being hit by a texting driver, to argue the good in the bill outweighs the bad.

"If we hesitate now, people are going to die," Branca said.

Other parents shared their stories.

Before a vote, lawmakers added a provision requiring the state to keep track of who is being stopped.

Sponsor Keith Perry (R - Gainesville) says, in the end, the legislation will send a message.

"We're not trying to pull people over," Perry explained, "We're trying to change behavior."

Senator Audrey Gibson (D - Jacksonville) was the other "No" vote. She argues requiring hands-free driving takes away the incentive for discrimination to play into who gets stopped.

"It's very obvious someone is using a phone when you have hands free," she said.

Discrimination is a problem, acknowledge Florida police chiefs, and they're working to stop it.

"It's a valid concern, but law enforcement works very hard to implement the appropriate training," said Chief David Perry of the FSU Police Department and the Florida Police Chief's Association.

One of the questions asked has been will texting be allowed while stopped at a light?

The answer is yes.

But not while you're driving, unless you want to risk a $30 ticket.

The legislation has one more committee before being voted on by the full Senate. Last week, Governor Rick Scott said he favors the tougher law.

Original Article: http://www.wctv.tv/content/news/New-texting-and-driving-legislation-continuing-in-Floridas-legislature-despite-concerns-over-racial-profiling-470767753.html

[divider sc_id="sc419647641011"]divider-3[/divider]

[image align="alignleft" image_size_alias="250" image_alt="" margin_top="" margin_right="" margin_bottom="" margin_left="" action="none" image_action_link="#" target="_self" link_title="" sc_id="sc802595696211"]https://apbfoundation.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/APBF_Anthony_Che_sansgrunge_png.png[/image]

The Anthony Phoenix Branca Foundation is dedicated to raising awareness on the consequences of distracted driving. We’re on a mission to educate drivers, save lives, and end this deadly epidemic.

We are a network of individuals, united for one purpose: to upheave social norms and eradicate distracted driving, #BecauseAnthony. Our Bandana Army is growing in both strength and numbers. Our revolution has taken shape, but we need your help!

[button text="Enlist in the Bandana Army" url="s9g.887.myftpupload.com/enlist" size="middle" type="colored" text_color="#fff" mouseover_text_color="#000" bg_color="#14b3e4" bg_transparent="0" mouseover_bg_color="" mouseover_bg_transparent="1" border_color="" border_color_transparent="1" mouseover_border_color="#000" mouseover_border_color_transparent="0" sc_id="sc533429202763"]

Close