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7. Texting While Driving Background: As of January 2017, texting while driving violations are enforced as primary offenses in 41 states. Florida is one of four states where texting while driving is a secondary offense when an operator of a motor vehicle has been detained for a suspected violation of another law. Specifically, Florida law bans driving while sending or reading data on a wireless cell phone for the purpose of non -voice interpersonal communication. The ban does not apply to a stationary motor vehicle or to a motor vehicle operator who is using it for official duties as an operator of an authorized emergency vehicle, law en- forcement or fire service professional, or an emergency medical services professional. It also does not apply to those who are using the wireless communication device for navigation purposes. Position: Indian River County BCC SUPPORTS policies that would make texting while driving a primary of- fense. HB 107 concerning texting while driving passed. The bill. changes current enforcement of the ban on texting while driving from a secondary offense to a primary offense. The bill also creates a new sec- tion of statute titled "school and work zones; prohibition on the use of a wireless communications de- vice in a handheld manner." It authorizes enforcement of a ban on the use of a wireless communica- tions device in a handheld manner while operating a motor vehicle in a designated school crossing, school zone, or active work zone area as a primary offense punishable as a moving violation. The main provisions will take effect July 1, 2019, with the school and work zone restrictions taking ef- fect October 1, 2019. 87 8