On October 1, a new state law banning texting and driving took effect. The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) has teamed up with partners to promote the new law and reduce distracted driving with a campaign called Put It Down, encouraging drivers not to text while driving.
Events were held around the state on September 19, corresponding with the national “It Can Wait” day, including a school event in Tallahassee. Local leaders, AT&T representatives, and FDOT and Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles were on site to inform people about the new law and dangers of texting while driving. Across the state, October 1, was recognized as “Put It Down Day.”
Sending or receiving a text takes a driver’s eyes from the road for an average of 4.6 seconds. At a speed of 55 miles per hour, that’s the equivalent of driving the length of an entire football field with your eyes closed. Texting while driving is one of biggest distractions on our roads, especially for young people. Eleven teenagers are killed each day in the U.S. as the result of texting while driving. Teens themselves report that texting is their number one driving distraction. A quarter of teens respond to a text message once or more every time they drive. Please, don’t text and drive. PUT IT DOWN!
FDOT E-Newsletter 