City officials say they are in favor of the state putting a ban on cellphone use while driving, with the police chief saying the state’s texting while driving law is “worthless” and hasn’t done anything to curb the high rate of accidents in Ocala.
During the Ocala City Council meeting on Tuesday, December 17, city leaders briefly spoke about legislative issues that the city believes the state should support. In specific, the council agreed to lend support behind a potential state initiative to end phone use while driving.
“I want our state to make using your phone while you drive a primary offense,” said Ocala City Council President Kristen Dreyer. “Instead of now, I believe you cannot be pulled over for this.”
“I think that the amount of accidents that we have, really, needs to be addressed,” said Dreyer. “I drive a vehicle that sits very high, so I can see in most people’s cars, and the things I see people doing, is insane.”
Ocala Police Chief Mike Balken agreed with the councilwoman.
“I’m on the same page. It’s really hard for us to enforce the ‘no texting’ statute, it’s almost worthless. It is worthless, because I can’t prove that you were either texting or looking for directions on your phone,” said Balken. He went on to clarify that the only way the state could curb accidents was with a “handsfree” law.
“In order to curb the accidents at the rate we’re having them, and we’re one of the highest in the state, and Florida’s extremely bad on its own, it needs to be a handsfree state,” said Balken.
Dreyer emphasized that the majority of other states have these types of laws in place and Balken agreed, citing Georgia as a good example.
The council then gave direction to staff to find Georgia’s wording on the matter to support similar legislation in Florida.
As the discussion continued, council members and the police chief shared their opinions on Ocala drivers, the dangers of State Road 200, and the distraction created by phones.
“It seems like I’ve been raced around in my truck down [State Road] 200. You still have these cars that are racing down 200. Do we have a traffic unit that we’re still trying to catch some of these guys?” asked councilman Barry Mansfield.
Mansfield emphasized that the city had some “bad drivers out there” that were racing,
“There’s a lot of bad drivers out there, but it seems like specifically lately I’ve seen more and more kids racing. I say kids, but it might be adults, you can’t tell. They fly by you so fast you can’t tell,” said Mansfield.
Balken said State Road 200 was a “huge focus” of the department.
As of last week, Balken said that approximately 79 officers were assigned to the patrol bureau and that part of their job function is traffic control.
In addition to the dozens of patrol officers, there is a three-officer traffic enforcement unit that will be expanded to four officers in the next two months. Balken says that crew focuses on areas that have high crash rates.
“They do a tremendous job. And I got to tell you, I get complaints on traffic day in and day out,” said Balken.
When asked whether or not citizens could take photos and submit them of speeders, Balken clarified that an officer would have to witness the incident to issue a citation unless it were criminal in nature.
“We all know that you’re working on our behalf. The public sometimes begs to differ, right? They think that no one’s getting pulled over for all of this stuff,” said council president Dreyer.
Balken explained that there is a lot going on in the city and that the department is “doing its best” to maintain control on crime, traffic enforcement, and pedestrian issues.
On Monday, Ocala-News.com reported that at least 11 pedestrian fatalities have taken place in the county since the beginning of the year.
What are your thoughts on implementing a handsfree law in Florida? Share them in a comment or a letter to the editor.