HomeMy WebLinkAbout2017-082RESOLUTION NO. 2017-082
A RESOLUTION BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF
INDIAN RIVER COUNTY, FLORIDA, ENCOURAGING THE FLORIDA
LEGISLATURE TO ENACT LEGISLATION THAT WOULD MAKE
TEXTING WHILE DRIVING A PRIMARY TRAFFIC OFFENSE.
WHEREAS, distracted driving is driving while performing another activity that shifts the
driver's attention away from driving; and
WHEREAS, texting while driving is a form of distracted driving; and
WHEREAS, texting while driving makes the likelihood of a crash 23 times greater than
driving while not distracted, according to the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute; and
WHEREAS, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reported an
estimated total of 967,000 crashes in the United States involving distracted drivers in 2014, resulting
in 3,179 deaths and approximately 431,000 injuries; and
WHEREAS, the concern of the American public over distracted driving has grown
exponentially, resulting in the first-ever national distracted driving enforcement and advertising
campaign in April, 2014 by the United States Department of Transportation; and
WHEREAS, the degree of cognitive distraction associated with mobile phone use is so high
that drivers using mobile phones exhibit greater impairment than legally intoxicated drivers,
according to a University of Utah study; and
WHEREAS, the Florida Legislature enacted Chapter 2002-179, Laws of Florida (Senate Bill
358), which preempted local governments from regulating the use of electronic communications
devices in motor vehicles; and
WHEREAS, during the 2013 regular session, the Florida Legislature passed the Florida Ban
on Texting While Driving Law, which made texting while driving a noncriminal traffic secondary
infraction; and
WHEREAS, a secondary offense is an offense for which a law enforcement officer can issue
a ticket only if a driver has been pulled over for committing another traffic violation; and
WHEREAS, despite making texting while driving a secondary offense, The Florida
Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FDHSMV) reports that distracted driving
crashes have increased 26% since 2013; and
WHEREAS, according to statistics from the FDHSMV, Indian River County had 2,360
crashes in calendar year 2016 and 383 of those (16%) were distracted driving crashes with 21
resulting in incapacitating injuries and 5 fatalities; and
WHEREAS, Florida is among only five states that does not enforce texting while driving as
a primary offense, but instead as a secondary offense; and
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RESOLUTION NO. 2017-082
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY
COMMISSIONERS OF INDIAN RIVER COUNTY, FLORIDA, that:
1. The Board hereby urges the Florida Legislature to enact legislation that would make
texting while driving a primary offense.
2. The Clerk to the Board is hereby directed to transmit a certified copy of this resolution
to the Governor, Senate President, House Speaker, and the Members of the Indian River County
Legislative Delegation.
3. This item shall be included as a priority matter for the 2018 Legislative Package when
it is presented to the Board.
The resolution was moved for adoption by Commissioner Solari, and the motion was
seconded by Commissioner Flescher, and, upon being put to a vote, the vote was as follows:
Chairman Joseph E. Flescher aye
Vice Chairman Peter D. O'Bryan aye
Commissioner Susan Adams aye
Commissioner Bob Solari aye
Commissioner Tim Zorc aye
The Chairman thereupon declared the resolution duly passed and adopted this 15th day of
August, 2017.
Attest: Jeffrey R. Smith, Clerk of
Court and Comptroller
B
Deputy Clerk
Approved as to form and legal sufficiency:
William K. DeBraal
Deputy County Attorney
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
INDIAN RIVER COUNTY, FLORIDA
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
Joseph E. Flescher
Chairman
District 2
Peter D. O'Bryan
Vice Chairman
District 4
The Honorable Rick Scott
Office of Governor
State of Florida
The Capitol
400 South Monroe Street
Tallahassee, FL 32399-0001
The Honorable Joe Negron
Office of Florida Senate President
District Office
3500 Southwest Corporate Parkway
Suite 204
Palm City, FL 34990
August 23, 2017
Susan Adams
District 1
Tim Zorc
District 3
Bob Solari
District 5
The Honorable Richard Corcoran
Florida House of Representatives Speaker
District Office
Suite 101
17953 Hunting Bow Center
Lutz, FL 33558-5375
The Honorable Debbie Mayfield
Office of Florida Senate
1801 27th Street
Vero Beach, FL 32960
The Honorable Erin Grail
Office of Florida House of Representatives
1801 27th Street
Vero Beach, FL 32960
RE: Legislation Making Texting While Driving a Primary Traffic Offense
Please find enclosed a certified copy of Indian River County Board of County
Commissioners Resolution 2017-082, supporting legislation to make texting while
driving a primary traffic offense.
Sincerely,
oseph E. Flescher
JEF:mlp
Enclosure
1801 27th Street, Building A
Vero Beach, FL 32960
(772) 226-1490