Texting While Driving, Sex Dolls, Hazing: Laws Take Effect Oct. 1

TAMPA BAY, FL — Police officers, deputies and state troopers were out in force Tuesday warning drivers to keep their hands off their cell phones while they're near schools and construction zones.

Starting Tuesday, drivers can be ticketed for using a cell phone while driving through work and school zones in Florida under a new law championed by state Rep. Jackie Toledo, a Republican from Tampa.

“Most of us drive through work and school zones every day,” Toledo said. “All it takes is one simple distraction on your phone, and you could easily hit a child or person crossing the street. It’s time for drivers to change their habits before even more lives are lost."

The new rule is part of Florida’s texting and driving law, which began July 1. The law makes sending electronic messages while driving a primary offense. That means police can pull drivers over for texting and give them a $30 ticket.

But in school and work zones, the rules are stricter. Drivers must be totally hands-free, which means no holding cell phones while driving. This includes texting or sending electronic messages, holding a GPS device, or holding and talking on a phone.

Tuesday morning, Hillsborough County School District Superintendent Jeff Eakins, school board member Stacy Hahn and Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister joined Toledo for a news conference outside Mabry Elementary in South Tampa to highlight the law.

“Every morning and every afternoon, thousands of children across our county walk and ride their bikes to and from school,” Eakins said. “We applaud Representative Toledo for spearheading this law and advocating for greater safety for our children, especially in areas around our schools. Now we need drivers to step up — putting down their phones and making our children’s safety their priority.”

"Children are unpredictable and work zones are hazardous by nature," Chronister added. "You never know when a child may dart out into the street and slow-moving heavy equipment is within most work zones. Especially in school and work zones, drivers need to be hyper vigilant, keeping their eyes on the road and hands on the wheel."

Nine people are killed and more than 1,000 injured every single day in distracted driving crashes in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Children and roadway workers are often the most vulnerable.

In fact, 68 percent of all crashes in Florida occur within two-thirds of a mile from a school — more than 270,000 collisions, according to a 2016 study by 1Point21Interactive, which analyzed data from the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles. Additionally, Florida had the second highest number of fatal traffic crashes in work zones in the nation in 2016, according to FDOT.

The ban on handheld use in school and work zones begins with an education period of warnings until Jan. 1. During the education period, drivers can fight the ticket by proving they bought a bluetooth device, allowing them to go hands-free while driving.

In addition to the texting and driving law, 26 other new state laws went into effect Tuesday. Among them are:

Hazing: This law was forwarded after Florida State University fraternity pledge Andrew Coffey died in 2017 after drinking a bottle of Wild Turkey bourbon that had been taped to his hand during a fraternity initiation. The new law makes it a third-degree felony to injure someone during hazing rites.

Sex Dolls Resembling Children: This law makes it a first-degree misdemeanor to sell or give sex dolls that look like children, whether they're the blow-up kind or mannequins. Legislators believe use of these dolls imported from China, Japan and Hong Kong could accelerate sex crimes against children.

Police Dogs and Horses: A new law now makes it a second-degree felony for people to harm or kill law enforcement dogs or horses used in search-and-rescue operations. The law was inspired by Fang, a dog with the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office who was shot and killed by a carjacker, and Ciga, a dog with the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office, who was also killed in the line of duty. Killing or causing great bodily arm to law enforcement animals can result in a 15-year prison sentence.

Veterans Court: This bill eliminates the requirement that a military veteran be honorably discharged to participate in veterans court, a court process that includes treatment alternatives for veterans who have committed offenses related to post-traumatic stress disorder, drug and alcohol abuse and traumatic brain injuries.

To learn about other laws taking effect Tuesday, visit the Florida House website.