Florida Senate - 2009 SB 1990 By Senator Deutch 30-00362B-09 20091990__ 1 A bill to be entitled 2 An act relating to certain prohibited activities in 3 motor vehicles; prohibiting reading, writing, or the 4 use of wireless communications devices while operating 5 a motor vehicle; providing exceptions; providing 6 penalties; providing an effective date. 7 8 Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida: 9 10 Section 1. Cellular telephones.— 11 (1) Except as provided in subsection (2), a person may not 12 operate a motor vehicle on the highways of this state while 13 reading, manually writing, or sending a text message on a 14 wireless communications device. 15 (2) Subsection (1) does not apply to a person operating: 16 (a) An authorized emergency vehicle; or 17 (b) A moving motor vehicle while using an electronic 18 wireless communications device to: 19 1. Report illegal activities; 20 2. Summon medical or other emergency help; or 21 3. Prevent injury or damage to a person or property. 22 (3) Any person who violates subsection (1) commits a 23 noncriminal moving traffic violation and shall pay a fine of 24 $100 for the first offense, $250 for the second offense, and 25 $500 for the third or subsequent offense. 26 Section 2. This act shall take effect July 1, 2009.