Texting while driving in Florida will become a primary traffic offense punishable by fines under a bill signed Friday by Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis.
Gov. DeSantis signed the bill Friday morning in Sarasota, FL. Under the current law, officers can only cite drivers for texting if they are pulled over for another violation. The new law allows officers to stop motorists simply for texting alone.
A first offense is punishable by a $30 fine, with a second offense costing $60. Court costs and fees also would apply. The law takes effect July 1, but only warnings will be given until January.
The texting ban does not apply to a driver using a navigation device or system or to a driver whose vehicle is stationary.