Texting and Handheld Phone Law For Florida Drivers Starting 2020

Jan 21, 2020

Don't Text and Drive

The Wireless Communications While Driving Law is the impetus behind a joint campaign between the Florida Department of Transportation, the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles and law enforcement. This campaign is called Put It Down: Focus on Driving.

January 1, 2020 Changes

Starting January 1, 2020, the Florida law that changed how drivers can use their cell phones moved from its warning period to becoming law — complete with possible fines and even points against your driving record if you are caught breaking it. From October 1, 2019 through December 31, 2019, if a police officer observed you texting while driving, you could be pulled over and issued a warning.

Texting and Driving in Florida: What You Need to Know

Today, drivers in Florida cannot hold their cell phones up their ears, hold their phones up to look at their GPS or type anything on their screen while they are driving in a designated school crossing, an active work zone or a school zone. An active work zone is considered to be one where workers are present.

Florida drivers are also forbidden from manually typing symbols, letters and/or numbers into their phones or other wireless communication devices while they are driving. This restriction includes instant messages, texts and emails.

Exceptions to the Law

There are exceptions to the Wireless Communications While Driving Law. The one that is most applicable to Florida drivers allows you to text while you are stopped and waiting at a red light. You can also report a crime using your wireless device without fear of breaking the law. If you are a driver of an emergency vehicle, you are also exempt.

Additionally, in order to be stopped for texting on your phone, the police officer must actually see you doing so. The exception to this is if you give them permission to check your wireless device. Without your permission, police officers cannot check your phone unless they obtain a search warrant.

How Nissan Helps

Nissan is known for its focus on safety. They also understand that staying connected is important. With NissanConnect, you can safely focus on the road while accessing hands-free options to stay connected.

Powered by Bluetooth technology, the Hands-free Phone System relies on using your voice — not your hands — when you need to make a call. Making a call is as simple as tapping into Nissan’s built-in microphone and instructing the NissanConnect system to call a particular number or a contact in your phone.

You can use the steering wheel-mounted controls to accept a call without ever needing to fumble with a headset or take your hands off the steering wheel. Because the system automatically mutes your music, you don’t have to fumble around to do so while you’re driving. When the call is finished and you hang up, your audio automatically resumes.