Eyes On the Road: Ditch the Distraction While Driving During Florida Bicycle Month

March is Florida Bicycle Month

Current laws in Florida prohibit texting while driving, yet dangerous loopholes allow drivers to use their phones for social media, video streaming, and other distractions.

BREVARD COUNTY • FLORIDA — Conroy Jacobs, Secretary of Florida Bicycle Association, issued a statement regarding Florida’s March Bicycle Month.

“As Florida’s weather brightens this March, I am honored to help kick off Florida Bicycle Month—a time to celebrate cycling as both a sustainable mode of transportation and an enjoyable form of recreation.

As a transportation planner and board member of the Florida Bicycle Association, I have dedicated my career to enhancing multi-modal access and improving road safety. Yet, our state’s roads remain perilously dangerous, and it is incumbent upon us to take bold action to protect all road users.

Every day, Floridians rely on bicycles for commuting, exercise, running errands, and connecting with their communities. Bicycling not only supports a healthier lifestyle but also contributes millions to our state’s economy. Unfortunately, inadequate infrastructure and unsafe driving behaviors continue to jeopardize lives.

In 2024 alone, 196 cyclists and 683 pedestrians lost their lives on Florida’s roads, and 2025 has already seen 21 cyclist and 65 pedestrian fatalities. These numbers are a stark reminder that the status quo is unacceptable.

End Distracted Driving with Hands-Free Florida

Distracted driving is a critical factor behind these tragedies. We’ve all witnessed that unmistakable moment when a car drifts across its lane while its driver is distracted by a smartphone. A study by Cambridge Mobile Telematics reported a 17.8% increase in phone use while driving between 2020 and 2023, with 34% of Florida drivers distracted in the minute before a crash. With nine lives lost on our roads every day—and six of those directly linked to distracted driving—the consequences are devastating.

Current laws in Florida prohibit texting while driving, yet dangerous loopholes allow drivers to use their phones for social media, video streaming, and other distractions.

That is why I stand with the Florida Bicycle Association and our partners in urging lawmakers to pass Hands-Free Florida—a statewide law banning all handheld phone use while driving. Similar measures in 31 other states, such as Ohio’s 25% drop in traffic fatalities, demonstrate that comprehensive reform is not only necessary but also effective.

How You Can Help

A proposed law was recently introduced in Florida: Hands-Free Driving (House Bill 501 Rep. Allison Tant and Senate Bill 1318 by Sen. Erin Grall.) But passing this law won’t happen without broad public support. We need everyone to step up and take action:
Our path to safer roads requires community support and active engagement.

Here’s how you can get involved:

1. Sign the Petition: Visit www.floridabicycle.org and add your voice to the call for Hands-Free Florida.
2. Contact Your Legislators: Urge them to support the Hands-Free Driving law.
3. Share This Message: Spread the word with friends, family, and colleagues.
4. Lead by Example: Commit to distraction-free driving every time you’re behind the wheel.

Get Involved this Florida Bicycle Month

Beyond legislative advocacy, I encourage everyone to participate in Florida Bicycle Month by attending local events—from group rides and safety workshops to advocacy meetups and community gatherings. These events offer invaluable opportunities to connect with local leaders, raise awareness, and celebrate the transformative power of bicycling.

Become a Safe Streets Champion

The Florida Bicycle Association has made significant strides through thoughtful advocacy and collaboration.

Our efforts have resulted in a ban on texting while driving, an expanded statewide network of paved trails, and tougher penalties for offenses against vulnerable road users such as cyclists and pedestrians.

Moreover, we have partnered with communities to identify and remedy dangerous road hot spots, educated over 4,000 students and young drivers on safe practices, and helped shape roadway design standards that prioritize multi-modal safety. Consider becoming a member to help fuel our work to make Florida more bicycle-friendly.

It’s Time to Act: Florida Bicycle Month is more than a celebration—it’s a movement toward safer streets. Let’s work together to create a Florida where every ride is safe. Sign the Hands-Free Florida petition, attend an event, and remain engaged in the fight for safer roads. To learn more and join the movement, visit www.floridabicycle.org.

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