Every year, thousands of people die from crashes caused by texting while driving. As organizations have been shining a light on the situation and trying to get information about the dangers of texting and driving out to people, some laws have tried to help calm the issue. This year on October 1, Florida decided to join the 39 other states that have laws to help ease the potential dangers of texting and driving.

There is a catch though–it is a secondary offense. To get a ticket for texting and driving one must first be pulled over for another violation. Fines are $30 for a first offense and $60 plus court costs for a second.

The law allows people to text in a car when they are stopped at a light. While driving, people are allowed to use a GPS and talk on their phones.

Sophomore Rebekah Stockton said, “I feel that texting at stop signs would still cause distracted driving. What if they send their text and just pull out without looking?”

Many people feel that the law is weak and will not strictly enforce people to stop texting while driving.

However, sophomore Cameron Zulcosky said, “I think [the law] is beneficial because it makes drivers more focused on the road. Also, studies found that texting and driving is more dangerous than drinking and driving.”

The hopeful end product would be fewer accidents and safer streets. Some people hope that instead of being a secondary law it will be a primary law. If that happens, it could take years.

In regard to whether the state should have done anything differently, junior Christie Atus said, “No, I don’t think the state should have done anything differently, because texting and driving isn’t something that should be taken lightly. Texting and driving should be taken very seriously and there should be a lot of consequences, so people will be less likely to do it.”