Altman Proposes Law To Fine Texting Drivers
By Space Coast Daily // January 10, 2013
Would Also Add License Points
BREVARD COUNTY • MELBOURNE, FLORIDA – State Senator Thad Altman of Brevard County has proposed a new statewide law making it costly to text while driving.
Although Florida legislators passed distracted driving legislation several years ago, Altman’s new bill would put teeth into stricter penalties for the offense.
Altman’s proposal would impose a fine if texting while driving is determined to be the reason for a crash and it also would levy points to driving records.
Texting while driving has been outlawed or is soon to be outlawed for all drivers in Arkansa; California; Colorado; Connecticut; Delaware; Georgia; Illinois; Indiana; Iowa; Louisiana; Maryland; Massachusetts; Michigan; Minnesota; Nevada; New Hampshire; New Jersey; New York; North Carolina; North Dakota; Orego; Pennsylvania; Tennessee, Utah; Vermont; Virginia; Washington; Wisconsin; and Wyoming.
Laws passed in Kentucky in 2010, in Indiana in 2011 and in Ohio in 2012 forbid texting for all drivers, as well as cell phone usage by all drivers under the age of 18 while driving.
Altman has also proposed a second bill that bans texting while driving for anyone under the age of 17 in Florida.
Altman represents Senate District 16, serving parts of Brevard and Indian River counties.
He was a Brevard County commissioner from 1984 to 1992 and a member of the Florida House of Representatives from 2003 to 08.
Altman was elected to the Florida Senate in 2008 and was re-elected in November.
