Statewide coalition launching Hands

Jul 02, 2023

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As we approach the busy Labor Day travel weekend, a coalition of organizations concerned about road safety is launching a campaign on Tuesday, Aug. 29, to secure 10,000 signatures in support of hands-free legislation in Florida.

From 2020 to 2022, nearly 1,000 men, women and children in Florida were killed in distracted driving crashes. Advocates of hands-free legislation want those driving in Florida to use safer hands-free technology to navigate and communicate without holding a phone in their hands.

• Traffic facilities decreased by 16 percent in 12 of the first states to adopt hands-free law.

• People who text while driving are 23 times more likely to be involved in a crash or near-miss event.

• You are four times more likely to be involved in a crash by having a phone in your hand.

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The campaign’s goal is to secure 10,000 signatures on a petition to demonstrate support for making Florida the 29th state with a hands-free law in place. The grassroots campaign will include media outreach and social media. Those interested in supporting the hands-free legislation can sign the petition at HandsFreeFlorida.org.

The growing coalition of partners and supporters includes Collier County Commissioner Chris Hall, Naples Pathways Coalition, The Kiefer Foundation, StopDistractions.org, Naples Velo, Blue Zones Project, and others.

For more information, visit HandsFreeFlorida.org.

Source: Hands Free Florida

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