Ban on texting while driving stalls at House

The third time may be the charm for supporters of a ban on texting while driving.  The bill has failed twice already, but Eyewitness News learned an important change may push it through this time.

Pick any major intersection in Central Florida and it won't take you long to find a driver with his or her eyes off the road.  It is the kind of behavior the Augello family wants to stop.  They lost their 17-year-old daughter in a car crash in 2008.

“Our life changed over someone using a phone to send a text message because that person couldn't wait until they got home,” said Agnes Augello.

This year, representatives changed the bill so texting is only considered a secondary offense.  Meaning, you cannot be ticketed for texting unless police pull you over for something else, like speeding or not wearing your seat belt.

The Senate is moving forward with a similar version, but the representative pushing for the bill in the House told Eyewitness News that he cannot even get it into a committee to be considered.

When WFTV asked the Florida Speaker of the House Dean Cannon about the bill, he sent an email response saying he does not comment on current member bills as they make their way through the process.  The email also read, "We must be careful to weigh a proposed regulation that purports to increase safety on our roads with the potential infringement on personal liberty.”

But Steve Augello said, “I know there are representatives that are against this bill and I don't understand how come we don't even get a shot to get it in the committee.  Because I know if it gets in the committee it'll get passed, but I guess it's more important to pass these other bills.” 

Florida is one of 15 states in the country that does not ban texting while driving.  There is no federal law banning texting while driving.  However, about one year ago, a ban went into effect allowing fines for truck and bus drivers caught texting while driving.