TALLAHASSEE — On April 4, The FL DNT TXTNDRV COALITION, consisting of a group of law enforcement organizations, businesses and local governments supporting legislation to stop texting while driving, applauded the Florida House State Affairs Committee for advancing House Bill 107, by State Rep. Jackie Toledo (R-Tampa), relating to texting while driving. HB 107 today passed its last committee of reference and is now ready for consideration by the full Florida House.

“Florida insurers applaud the members of the State Affairs Committee in the Florida House for advancing legislation today that will make our roads safer and save lives,” said Logan McFaddin, regional manager of state government affairs for the American Property Casualty Insurance Association, a member of the FL DNT TXTNDRV COALITION. “The unfortunate reality is traffic deaths across the nation are increasing and Florida is one of eight states that has seen a 5.8 percent spike in fatalities in 2018, with driver behavior being one of the main reasons for lives lost in car crashes. This good public policy would go a step further in protecting Florida drivers and lowering insurance costs by making texting while driving a primary offense.”

“It is humbling to have such strong support from the members of the Florida Legislature on legislation to help ban distracted driving,” said FL DNT TXTNDRV COALITION Coordinator Keyna Cory. “As of today, we have over 45 cosponsors in the Florida House of Representatives and 10 cosponsors in the Florida Senate. Support is growing for these life-saving bills, and we encourage the Legislature to keep the momentum going and pass Senate Bill 76 by Sen. Simpson and House Bill 107 by Reps. Toledo and Slosberg.”

The comparable bill in the Senate, SB 76 by Sen. Wilton Simpson (R-Trilby), is ready for its last committee of reference, the Senate Rules Committee.