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RESOLUTION NO.: 2025- 005 <br />A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY <br />COMMISSIONERS OF INDIAN RIVER COUNTY, <br />FLORIDA, IN SUPPORT OF LEGISLATION REQUIRING <br />HANDS-FREE CELL PHONE USE WHILE DRIVING <br />WHEREAS, distracted driving is a leading cause of motor vehicle accidents in the United <br />States, contributing to thousands of injuries and fatalities each year; and <br />WHEREAS, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that <br />texting while driving increases the risk of crashing by 23 times; and <br />WHEREAS, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), also reports <br />texting while driving is six times more dangerous than driving under the influence of alcohol; and <br />WHEREAS, a study from Cambridge Mobile Telemetics reported an increase in screen <br />interaction time while driving of 17.8% from 2020 to 2023; and <br />WHEREAS, the use of handheld devices while driving significantly impairs a driver's <br />ability to safely operate a vehicle, diverting attention from the road and increasing reaction times; <br />and <br />WHEREAS, according to an analysis in the 2024 Indian River County Bicycle & <br />Pedestrian Master Plan, the number of traffic crashes involving bicycles and pedestrians more than <br />doubled and the number of traffic crashes involving fatalities more than tripled during the years <br />2017-2021 in comparison to the previous five-year period; and <br />WHEREAS, implementing hands-free cell phone use legislation can reduce the incidence <br />of distracted driving, promoting safer roadways for all; and <br />WHEREAS, 31 states have successfully enacted hands-free laws, resulting in a <br />measurable decrease in accidents related to distracted driving; and <br />WHEREAS, it is the responsibility of our local government to advocate for the safety and <br />well-being of our community; <br />NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY <br />COMMISSIONERS OF INDIAN RIVER COUNTY, FLORIDA THAT: <br />1. The Board hereby expresses its strong support for legislation mandating the use of <br />hands-free devices while driving and urges the Florida State Legislature to pass such legislation to <br />