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On Tuesday, October 1, 2013, the Florida Ban on Texting While Driving Law (Florida Statute 316.305) went into effect.  Although not banning speaking on the phone while driving, it does ban texting, emailing and tweeting (instant messaging) while driving. A violation of the law is a secondary offense since a driver must first be pulled over for another offense.  Being found guilty, or pleading guilty: The first texting offense incurs a $30 fine and a second offense a $60 fine; both fines are plus court costs.

The News-Press reported September 29, 2013 that reporters from their paper "spent about six hours, over two days in August, counting drivers texting and talking on their cell phones." 

"Experts say our brains cannot accomplish two dissimilar tasks at the same time with each one requiring some level of consideration and attention. The results of countless 'texting while driving' accidents are evidence of this theory," said Attorney Randall Spivey of Spivey Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.A.

Syndi Bultman, Chairwoman for the Lee County Injury Prevention Coalition said in the News-Press, that as a trauma nurse at Lee Memorial Hospital, she has dealt with the worst a distracted driver can do.  "People need to ask themselves if the call or the text is worth dying for before they answer."

News-Press Reporter, Chris Umpierre, lists "5 Apps to Help Stop Texting While Driving".  They are:

1. DriveMode and Drive First - AT&T free app which automatically sends a customized reply to incoming texts similar to an out-of-office autoreply for emails.  Sprint's Drive First app sends calls to voicemail and silences email and text alerts when a vehicle reaches 10 mps.
2. Quite Zone - Zephyrhills, application developer, Brandon Butts has a small device which plugs into a car's cigarette lighter or is permanently installed through the vehicle's interior wiring.  This system automatically blocks text messaging.
3. Textecution - The Android app stops texting ability if the device is travelling faster than 10 mph. Passengers using the device may request an override.
4. tXtBlocker - The app allows users to customize the locations and times of day when texts and phone calls are not accepted.
5. DriveSafe.ly - This app reads text messages and email out loud in real time instead of shutting down communications entirely.

"Texting and driving are a deadly combination. Drivers need to obey the new Florida law," said Attorney Spivey.

Fort Myers Personal Injury Attorney, Randall L. Spivey is a Board Certified Civil Trial Attorney – the highest recognition for competence bestowed by the Florida Bar and a distinction earned by just one (1%)  percent of Florida attorneys. He has handled over 2,000 personal injury and wrongful death cases throughout Florida. For a free and confidential consultation to discuss your legal rights, contact the Spivey Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.A., in Lee County at  239. 337.7483 or toll free at 1.888.477.4839, or by email to Randall@SpiveyLaw.com.  Visit SpiveyLaw.com  for more information. You can contact Spivey Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.A. in Charlotte County at 941.764.7748 and in Collier County 239.793