PALM BEACH COUNTY, Fla. — Florida drivers are facing a new texting ban this fall under a proposed law that Gov. Ron DeSantis says he will sign.
The new ban would allow police to pull over drivers if they see drivers texting behind the wheel.
Currently, Florida law classifies texting and driving as a secondary offense, meaning drivers must be stopped for another offense first.
The new ban however still presents the same challenge for police in how to enforce it.
“If this law is passed we're going to have to figure out how it is we are going to enforce it,” says Sgt. Brian Bossio of the Stuart Police.
Much of the problem, Sgt. Bossio says is first trying to spot drivers texting and them trying to determines if they are texting.
“How can the patrol officer observe someone who is in fact texting and even if they are texting, how do we prove that,” Sgt. Bossio says.
Once the governor signs the law, officers will issue warning starting in October and fines of $30 for a first offense will begin in January.
