Florida Law on texting and driving and using your phone while your car is stationary.

[Baitball Blogger]

Based on what I've read, you can use your phone while your car is stationary. The one place I do pick up my phone is in a drive-thru when I'm waiting in line. So it was when my order was taking too long, that I reached for the phone to kill the time.

I was at the window and I don't understand what the delay was. I think they had trainees. I kept checking the rear-view mirror and saw the cars begin to stack up. Soon, the expected response, "BEEP, BEEP." "WHAT'S TAKING SO LONG!"

ME: (Raised my arms up, trying to portray a shrug - my mistake, I had my phone in my left hand when I was doing it.)

the old guy driver: "I DON'T CARE ABOUT YOUR PHONE. YOU PEOPLE ARE ALWAYS ON THE PHONE! PUT IT AWAY."

ME: "MY PHONE DOESN'T HAVE ANYTHING TO DO WITH THE DELAY!" (My mistake: This old white guy just wanted to have a reason to target someone, and he thought he had the high ground.)

The old guy: YOU PEOPLE ARE ALWAYS ON THE PHONE!"

ME: MY PHONE IS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR THE HOLD UP. YOUR LOGIC IS WRONG!

The old guy: Escalates his response with the same scolding.

My parting shot: "NUTCASE"

I tell you, the tension in Florida is palpable. We talk about how the right-wing doesn't rely on facts, but will strike whenever they think they're right, anyway. I just hope he goes home to do a google so that the next time, he doesn't piss off someone who is really having a bad day.

For the record, here is what is being said about the law and stationary cars:

1. The bill doesn’t ban the use of cell phone while a car is stationary.

According to the bill text, “a motor vehicle that is stationary is not being operated and is not subject to the prohibition in this paragraph."

So what does that mean? The term is not defined in the bill, but Brooks Timmons, a legislative assistant for Sen. Wilton Simpson, clarified that stationary means a vehicle is not in motion. So, if your vehicle is stopped at a red light or stuck in traffic, you can technically use your phone.

Even if the measure isn’t signed in to law, stationary vehicles are not subject to enforcement under the current texting while driving bill.

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http://www.tampabay.com/florida/2019/04/25/five-things-to-know-about-texting-while-driving-legislation-in-florida/

[Turbineguy]

1. Wow! You have some courage!

He might have shot you in self defense because your phone looked like a gun to him.

[Baitball Blogger]

2. Maybe I was having a bad day and didn't know it?

Because, you're right. I was very calm under the circumstances.

[jberryhill]

3. If you are on private property at a drive through window, the law has nothing to do with it

The law applies to the use of cell phones in vehicles on public roads.

Traffic laws do not apply on private property, such as parking lots.

[Baitball Blogger]

8. Thank you.

[ExciteBike66]

15. Is this certain in FL?

I see various answers online based on various state laws.

[virgogal]

16. Law enforcement has nothing

to do with this incident,just a cranky old guy.

[shraby]

4. You did nothing wrong. My daughter-in-law and I were at the bank years ago,

in the drive-up before new gadgets had been invented and we were waiting for the teller to process our
transaction.

The guy behind us figured he had waited long enough I guess, and started blowing his horn. We had a good laugh because there was nothing we could do about the delay.

[Baitball Blogger]

9. Next time I'll probably not say anything at all, but will use my I-Phone

to record in case it escalates.

[dixiegrrrrl]

5. I'd be more interestged in.."is not being operated"

I predict a court case soon to determine that if you are sitting in a running car, esp. in a queue line, you are operating the car..motor running, A/C running ( I assume).

[Baitball Blogger]

10. We do have to watch carefully, in case the interpretation changes.

[mitch96]

17. In Fla you can get a DUI just being in a car... parked...... not running... If your drunk (.08)

How much you want to bet things are gonna get weird like that..
m

[dixiegrrrrl]

18. Yep. Had clients who got busted for that.

And god bless their lil alcoholic hearts, they really felt they were being responsible.
"While I was driving home, I finished the 6 pack and then realized maybe I shouldn't be driving so I pulled over."

Also gotta define "vehicle"...I've known more than one client, again court ordered, who felt they were being good because they were not driving a car with their license suspended.

they were driving riding lawn mowers to the liquor store.
In the dark.
One guy was caught because the police just followed his trail of sparks down the highway.
He was drunk, did not lift the blade all the way up.

[mitch96]

19. And don't forget the golf carts in these over 55 communitys!!

Grandpa a bottle of schnaps and a cart could be deadly!!!
m

[Ohiogal]

6. I swear

I know the type ..... big ignorant blowhard .... just looking for a fight with someone. I see them around here, too. You sure were brave. I'm always afraid some nutter like that will have a loaded gun in the car.

[Baitball Blogger]

11. I will be more careful next time.

[rampartc]

7. the law for dui is that "if the key is in the ignition. "

cops will be as confused as they want to be.

if my phone rings I usually pull over , stop, and answer. it might be my boss. usually just robo scams.

[Baitball Blogger]

12. Most of my calls are telemarketers, so I rarely answer my phone, anyway.

[rampartc]

13. these people must be shut down

my phone is nearly useless from the telemarketing.

[The Figment]

14. The law should read "While the automobile is in operation"

The way it is written is too vague, is sitting a a long stoplight a good place? How about a highway that is temporarily closed due to a accident?
The way it is now leaves it up to the officer or operator...not to wise if one were to ask me.