Item L02 L2
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
COUNTY of MONROE Mayor James K.Scholl,District 3
The Florida Keys Mayor Pro Tern Michelle Lincoln,District 2
Craig Cates,District 1
David Rice,District 4
Holly Merrill Raschein,District 5
Board of County Commissioners Meeting
February 19, 2025
Agenda Item Number: L2
2023-3669
BULK ITEM: Yes DEPARTMENT: District 2
TIME APPROXIMATE: STAFF CONTACT: Kacey Hunt
n/a
AGENDA ITEM WORDING: MAYOR PRO TEM LINCOLN: Approval of a resolution in support
of legislation requiring hands-free cell handheld device use while driving.
ITEM BACKGROUND:
The Hands-Free Initiative is in year two of coordinated efforts being led by the Florida Bicycle
Association, the Naples Pathways Coalition, the Kiefer Foundation, and StopDistraction.org. 31 states
already have enforceable hands-free legislation. In 12 of the first states to adopt a Hands-Free law, they
saw traffic fatalities decrease by 16%. The Monroe County 2025 State Legislative Agenda supports
safer bike baths and fewer distracted drivers.
Thirty one (31) states already have enforceable hands-free legislation. In the first 12 states that adopted
a Hands-Free law, traffic fatalities decreased by 16%.
Florida has one of the highest road fatality rates in the country, the most pedestrian deaths and the most
deaths of people riding bikes of any other state. In the first nine months of 2024, Florida had 301,383
reported crashes, with 2,329 fatalities, and 194,272 injuries. According to a study by Cambridge Mobile
Telematics, 34% of drivers in Florida were distracted the minute before they crashed. If we prevented
34% of these crashes that involved driver distraction(as noted in the Cambridge data), that could mean
more than 102,000 fewer crashes and saving more than 800 lives!
PREVIOUS RELEVANT BOCC ACTION:
INSURANCE REQUIRED:
No
CONTRACT/AGREEMENT CHANGES:
n/a
3780
STAFF RECOMMENDATION: approval
DOCUMENTATION:
Draft Hands Free Resolution 02.04.25.docx
FBA & HHF PP Overview 11.30.2024.pdf
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
n/a
3781
RESOLUTION NO. -2025
A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY
COMMISSIONERS OF MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA IN
SUPPORT OF LEGISLATION REQUIRING HANDS-FREE CELL
HANDHELD DEVICE USE WHILE DRIVING.
WHEREAS, distracted driving is a leading cause of motor vehicle crashes in the
United States, contributing to thousands of injuries and fatalities each year; and
WHEREAS, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports
that handheld device interaction while driving increases the risk of crashing by 23 times;
and
WHEREAS, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), also
reports handheld device interaction while driving is six times more dangerous than
driving under the influence of alcohol; and
WHEREAS, a study from Cambridge Mobile Telematics reported an increase in
screen interaction time while driving of 17.8% from 2020 to 2023; and
WHEREAS, the use of handheld devices while driving significantly impairs a
driver's ability to safely operate a vehicle, diverting attention from the road and
increasing reaction times; and
WHEREAS, Monroe County, Florida, has witnessed an increase in traffic crashes
attributed to distracted driving, affecting the safety of men, women, and children who
reside in and visit the county; and
WHEREAS, implementing hands-free cell handheld device use legislation can
reduce the incidence of distracted driving, saving lives and promoting safer roadways
for all; and
WHEREAS, 31 states have successfully enacted hands-free laws, resulting in a
measurable decrease in crashes and fatalities related to distracted driving; and
WHEREAS, it is the responsibility of our local government to advocate for the
safety and well-being of our community; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Board of County Commissioners
of Monroe County, Florida, that:
1. The Board expresses its strong support for legislation mandating the use of
hands-free devices while driving and urges the Florida State Legislature to
pass such legislation to enhance road safety and protect lives.
2. The Clerk is directed to send copies of this resolution to:
3782
a. Governor Ron DeSantis, the Capitol, 400 S. Monroe Street,
Tallahassee, FL 32399
b. Senator Ana Maria Rodriquez, 410 Senate Building, 404 South Monroe
Street, Tallahassee, FL 32399-1100
c. Rep. Jim Mooney, 334 The Capitol, 402 South Monroe Street,
Tallahassee, FL 32399.
PASSED AND ADOPTED by the Board of County Commissioners of Monroe County Florida, at
a regular meeting held on the day of , 2025.
Mayor James K. Scholl
Mayor Pro Tem Michelle Lincoln
Commissioner Craig Cates
Commissioner David Rice
Commissioner Holly Merrill Raschein
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
OF MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA
BY:
Mayor David James K. Scholl
(SEAL)
ATTEST: KEVIN MADOK, CLERK
By:
As Deputy Clerk
MONROE COUNTY ATTORNEY
Approved for form and legal sufficiency
By:
Robert B. Shillinger Jr., County Attorney
3783
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