Senate Bill sb0610
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
Florida Senate - 2002 SB 610
By Senator Wasserman Schultz
32-179A-02
1 A bill to be entitled
2 An act relating to the use of a cellular
3 telephone while operating a motor vehicle
4 within a school zone; creating s. 316.1897,
5 F.S.; defining the terms "cellular telephone"
6 and "hands-free device"; prohibiting a person
7 from using a cellular telephone that is not
8 equipped with a hands-free device while
9 operating a motor vehicle in a school zone
10 during a time when the reduced speed limit is
11 in effect; providing that such traffic
12 infraction is punishable as a moving violation;
13 amending s. 318.18, F.S.; providing a penalty
14 for violating s. 316.1897, F.S.; amending s.
15 316.1895, F.S.; providing requirements for
16 signs that designate a school zone; requiring
17 the Department of Transportation to establish
18 standards for the signs; providing an effective
19 date.
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21 Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:
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23 Section 1. Section 316.1897, Florida Statutes, is
24 created to read:
25 316.1897 Use of cellular telephone while operating a
26 motor vehicle within a school zone prohibited.--
27 (1) As used in this section, the term:
28 (a) "Cellular telephone" means a device capable of
29 sending or receiving telephone communications without an
30 access line, including, but not limited to, an analog, a
31 digital, or a wireless telephone.
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CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
Florida Senate - 2002 SB 610
32-179A-02
1 (b) "Hands-free device" means an internal or external
2 device, attachment, or addition to a cellular telephone or
3 motor vehicle, regardless of whether the device is permanently
4 installed, which allows the operator of the motor vehicle to:
5 1. Maintain both hands, or prosthetic device or aid in
6 the case of a physically disabled person, on the applicable
7 steering device; and
8 2. Hear surrounding sound.
9 (2) A person may not use a cellular telephone while
10 operating a motor vehicle within a school zone during any time
11 when the reduced speed limit for the school zone is in effect
12 unless the cellular telephone is used with a hands-free
13 device.
14 (3) A person who violates this section commits a
15 noncriminal traffic infraction, punishable as a moving
16 violation as provided in chapter 318.
17 Section 2. Paragraph (c) is added to subsection (5) of
18 section 318.18, Florida Statutes, to read:
19 318.18 Amount of civil penalties.--The penalties
20 required for a noncriminal disposition pursuant to s. 318.14
21 are as follows:
22 (5)(c) Sixty dollars for a violation of s. 316.1897,
23 using a cellular telephone without a hands-free device while
24 operating a motor vehicle in a school zone when the reduced
25 speed limit is in effect.
26 Section 3. Subsection (6) of section 316.1895, Florida
27 Statutes, is amended to read:
28 316.1895 Establishment of school speed zones,
29 enforcement; designation.--
30 (6) Permanent signs designating school zones and
31 school zone speed limits must shall be uniform in size and
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CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
Florida Senate - 2002 SB 610
32-179A-02
1 color, and must clearly designate shall have the times during
2 which the restrictive speed limit is enforced and during which
3 a person is prohibited from operating a motor vehicle within
4 the school zone while using a cellular telephone without a
5 hands-free device clearly designated thereon. The Department
6 of Transportation shall establish adequate standards for the
7 signs.
8 Section 4. This act shall take effect July 1, 2002.
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11 SENATE SUMMARY
12 Prohibits a person from using a cellular telephone while
operating a motor vehicle within a school zone during the
13 hours when the reduced speed limit is in effect unless
the operator uses a hands-free device. Provides that a
14 person who violates such prohibition commits a moving
violation. Provides a fine of $60. Requires that signs
15 for a school zone designate the times during which the
prohibition is in effect.
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