Distracted Driving
Search names, statutes, classifications, penalties, points, and enforcement notes.
4 offenses
Handheld wireless device in school/work zone
Florida Statute § 316.306
While moving through a designated school crossing, school zone, or qualifying work zone, a driver may not use a wireless device in a handheld manner. The work-zone rule requires construction personnel present or equipment being operated on or immediately adjacent to the zone. Stationary vehicles are excluded; hands-free use/navigation, emergency reporting, specified messages, official duties, and autonomous operation have exceptions. Record the zone, activity, and device type on the citation. Follow the statute's device-search notice, warrant, nonconfiscation, and voluntary-consent safeguards.
Television/video visible to driver
Florida Statute § 316.303
A moving vehicle on a highway may not actively display moving television or prerecorded video entertainment visible from the driver's seat. Establish that the vehicle was moving, the content was entertainment, and it was visible to the driver—not merely that a screen was installed. Navigation displays, approved safety/law-enforcement equipment, specified autonomous/platooning displays, and operation with the automated driving system engaged have statutory exceptions.
Wearing headset/headphones while driving
Florida Statute § 316.304
A person operating a vehicle generally may not wear headphones, a headset, or another listening device. Exceptions include hearing aids; qualifying official/emergency equipment; a motorcycle-license examination; helmet speakers positioned away from the ears so surrounding sounds remain audible; and a cellular-phone or central-base headset providing sound through only one ear while the other hears surroundings. Document use, configuration, and purpose. One-ear use is not a blanket exception for every listening activity.
Wireless device — texting while driving
Florida Statute § 316.305
While a motor vehicle is moving, manually typing multiple characters or sending/reading nonvoice interpersonal messages such as texts, email, or instant messages is prohibited. Stationary vehicles are excluded. Navigation, specified safety/vehicle messages, emergency reporting, qualifying official duties, limited feature activation, and automated-driving operation have exceptions. Document the communication activity, not merely a phone in hand. Inform a stopped driver of the right to decline a device search and follow the statute's warrant, nonconfiscation, and voluntary-consent safeguards; a citation does not itself authorize access to phone contents.