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TEXTING AND DRIVING

f you’re driving through a school zone on your way to work or 10 warnings regarding the new law, deputies also issued three
on your way to drop your child off to class, be sure to put your citations for failing to use a seatbelt and one citation for a suspended
Iphone down. Deputies are warning drivers of a new law that driver’s license. That was the first of many the Safety & Traffic
took full effect January 1st, banning the use of handheld devices Enforcement Bureau conducted in the weeks leading up to
while driving in school and work zones throughout Florida. January 1st.
In May, Governor Ron DeSantis signed a bill into law allowing Under the original texting and driving law, which went into
deputies to ticket drivers for texting while driving. The law went into effect July 1, drivers can still use their phones for calls and for
effect July 1st and deputies at the Collier County Sheriff’s Office navigation purposes outside of a school zone. They’re also able to read
immediately began enforcing it, conducting details targeting the emergency messages such as Amber Alerts and severe weather alerts.
behavior and handing out citations. Before July 1, 2019, texting while driving was considered a
The second part of the new bill went into effect October 1st. secondary offense, meaning you couldn’t be pulled over for that
Florida State Statute 316.306 prohibits handling of any infraction alone. Instead, if a deputy pulled you over for a primary
communication devices while in a work or school zone. offense such as speeding or running a stop sign, you could also be
That includes texting while driving and holding the phone while cited for texting while driving on top of the initial infraction.
talking. This part of the law only pertains to the stretches of Now, texting and driving has become a primary offense and
designated construction zones and school zones while those zones motorists can be stopped for using their phones while operating a
are in effect. Citations for this infraction are more costly than those vehicle, even if they aren’t speeding or breaking other rules of the
issued for texting while driving outside of a school or work zone. road. The one exception is that motorists will still be allowed to use
Our deputies began warning motorists of this change their phones while their vehicle is stopped at traffic lights.
beginning October 1st. Deputies began issuing full citations as of
January 1, 2020. If it is a non-emergency, contact the Collier County Sheriff ’s Office
non-emergency line at 239-252-9300. If it could be a crime in progress,
During the agency’s first detail warning motorists of the new law,
call 911. If you have information on past occurred crimes or people who
deputies conducted 30 traffic stops and issued a total of 10
are involved in criminal activity, call the CCSO TIPS line at
warnings for use of a phone in a school zone. Three deputies
239-775-8477, or to remain anonymous and be eligible for a possible
patrolled the Poinciana Elementary school zone as parents and buses reward call Crime Stoppers at 800-780-TIPS.
dropped students off during the one day detail. In addition to You can also email CCSO at TIPS@colliersheriff.org
42 Life in Naples | January 2020