“The dangers are really two-fold. Drivers may become so absorbed in their phone conversations that they become distracted, and their eyes may not be on the road while they’re dialing, text messaging, or reading e-mails,” said Commissioner Moss. “This could prove detrimental to students and parents walking to and from school. It’s safer for both pedestrians and drivers if wireless communication devices were restricted while school zone reduced speeds are active.”

Miami-Dade County was the first county in the state to pass an ordinance in 2001 restricting the use of cellular phones while driving. However, the following year, the Florida Legislature pre-empted this ordinance and all local government regulation of wireless communications while driving. Senator Larcenia Bullard also tried to file State Bill 680 during the 2008 Florida State Legislative session that would have prohibited drivers from using cellular phones in school zones, but it did not pass.

Still, with the growing prevalence of wireless communication devices, more and more drivers may be inclined to use their cell phones while on the road. The Cellular Telecommunications & Internet Association reported that in May 2007, over 236 million people in the U.S. had wireless communication devices, such as cellular telephones and Blackberries, Treos and other PDAs. According to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV), there were 1,796 crashes in Florida that were identified as being caused by distracted drivers during 2003. Approximately 20 percent of the distracted drivers were reported as “talking or listening on a cell phone” at the time of the crash.

Commissioner Moss’ resolution requests that Florida’s Governor, Senate President, House Speaker, and the Chair, and members of the Miami-Dade County State Legislative Delegation receive a copy of the legislation and urges the State Legislature to approve the item.