ORLANDO, Fla. — Texting while driving may be legal in Florida, but Disney banned it for its workers.
Tens of thousands of Disney workers drive while on the job and whether it's a bus or their personal car, if they're on the clock, they are no longer allowed to text.
"Disney policy is, you're not supposed to have your cell phone when you're out in front of guests anyway," Disney cast member Ryan Schwer said.
Schwer supports the new policy that applies even when employees drive off Disney property.
"When it comes to driving, yeah, it's a good idea," he said.
The Florida Highway Patrol agrees.
"Running red lights, swerving out of their lane, and causing fatal crashes. It's one of the most dangerous things you can do behind the wheel," said Sgt. Kim Montes of the Florida Highway Patrol.
The hazards are obvious and the danger increases along with the speed.
"If you're traveling 55 miles an hour and you look down at your phone for three seconds, you've traveled the length of a football field and that's with your eyes off the road. Anything can happen," Montes said.
Disney says discipline would be dished out on a case-by-case basis. But in some cases an employee might lose his job.
Schwer says it's tough, but fair.
"Yeah, it is. Because if the driver is texting while driving down the road, he's not paying attention to the road, he's gonna hit something or someone," he said.
A Disney spokesman says the policy has always applied to Disney bus drivers. It now affects every Disney employee from coast to coast.
WFTV
