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Home My Public Portal About2010-06 Urging the Florida Legislature to adopt and to the governor to sign legislation prohibiting usage of cell phoneRESOLUTION NO. 2010-6 A RESOLUTION OF THE VILLAGE COUNCIL OF THE VILLAGE OF KEY BISCAYNE, FLORIDA, URGING THE FLORIDA LEGISLATURE TO ADOPT AND THE GOVERNOR TO SIGN LEGISLATION PROHIBITING TYPING, SENDING OR READING OF TEXT MESSAGES AND E -MAILS WHILE OPERATING A MOTOR VEHICLE, AND ONLY ALLOWING CELL PHONE USAGE WHILE DRIVING WHEN UTILIZING A HANDS -FREE DEVICE; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. WHEREAS, according to the New York Times, more than 110,000,000,000 text messages were sent in the United States during the month of December 2008 alone, a tenfold increase in just 3 years; and WHEREAS, a 2008 study by Nationwide Insurance found that 20 percent of drivers in the United States send text messages while operating motor vehicles; and WHEREAS, texting and portable E-mail are valuable to consumers, businesses, and private individuals throughout the United States, but those services also create an extreme risk when used by individuals while operating motor vehicles; and WHEREAS, a study by the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute has concluded that people who send text messages while driving are 23 times more likely to be in a crash; and WHEREAS, a test by Car and Driver Magazine found that in some cases, a person's reaction time was harmed more by texting while driving than while driving under the influence of alcohol; and WHEREAS, in January of 2009, the National Safety Council called on state and federal lawmakers to ban the use of cell phones and text messaging devices while driving; and WHEREAS, the Secretary of the United States Department of Transportation has stated that, "If it were up to me, I would ban drivers from texting immediately;" and WHEREAS, pursuant to Section 316.0075, Florida Statutes, municipalities are preempted from regulating the use of electronic communication devices in a motor vehicle; and WHEREAS, the Village Council believes that the threat to health, safety and welfare of the citizens of the State of Florida from this activity is so great, that there is a need for state legislation to be adopted prohibiting typing, reading or sending of text messages and e -mails while operating a motor vehicle and only allowing cell phone usage while driving when utilizing a hands -free device; and WHEREAS, the Village Council believes that it is in the best interest of the citizens of the State of Florida for the Legislature to adopt and the Governor to sign legislation regulating texting and use of cell phones without hands -free devices while operating a motor vehicle, so as to ensure uniformity throughout the State. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE VILLAGE COUNCIL OF THE VILLAGE OF KEY BISCAYNE, FLORIDA, AS FOLLOWS: Section 1. Recitals Adopted. The recitals set forth above are hereby adopted and confirmed. Section 2. Legislation Urged. The Village Council urges the Florida Legislature to adopt and the Governor to sign legislation prohibiting typing, reading or sending of text messages and e -mails while operating a motor vehicle and only allowing cell phone usage while driving when utilizing a hands -free device. Section 3. Transmittal. The Village Clerk is directed to send certified copies of this Resolution to the Governor, President of Florida Senate, Speaker of the Florida House of Representatives, Miami -Dade Legislative Delegation, Florida League of Cities, and the Miami -Dade 2 VILLAGE ATTORNEY League of Cities. Section 4. Effective Date. This Resolution shall become effective upon its adoption. PASSED AND ADOPTED this 23rd day of February , 2010. ATTEST: ,i, NCHITA H. ALVAREZ, MMC, VILLAGE CLERK APPROVED AS TO FORM AND LEGAL SUFFICIENC 3 MAYOR ROBERT L. VERNON KEI� VILLAGE OF KEY BISCAYNE Office of the Village Clerk Village Council Robert L. Vernon, Mayor Enrique Garcia, Vice Mayor Michael W. Davey Robert Gusman Michael E. Kelly Jorge E. Mendia Thomas Thornton Village Clerk Conchita H. Alvarez, MMC March 3, 2010 The Honorable Charlie Crist The Capitol 400 S. Monroe Street Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0001 Dear Governor Crist: Attached please find a copy of Resolution No. 2010-6 from the Village of Key Biscayne, Florida urging the Florida Legislature to adopt and the Governor to sign legislation prohibiting typing, sending or reading text messages and e -mails while operating a motor vehicle, and only allowing cell phone usage while driving when utilizing a hands -free device. The Village of Key Biscayne would appreciate any assistance you can provide with respect to this matter. Sinc to H. Alvarez, MMC Village Clerk \cha 1431 c.let 88 West McIntyre Street • Suite 220 • Key Biscayne, Florida 33149 • (305) 365-5506 • Fax (305) 365-8914 MISSION STATEMENT: "TO PROVIDE A SAFE, QUALITY COMMUNITY ENVIRONMENT FOR ALL ISLANDERS THROUGH RESPONSIBLE GOVERNMENT." www.keybiscayne.fl.gov 'p� E KyBl<pc, VILLAGE OF KEY BISCAYNE Office of the Village Clerk Village Council Robert L. Vernon, Mayor Enrique Garcia, Vice Mayor Michael W. Davey Robert Gusman Michael E. Kelly Jorge E. Mendia Thomas Thornton Village Clerk Conchita H. Alvarez, MMC March 3, 2010 The Honorable Jeff Atwater, President The Florida Senate 312 Senate Office Building 404 South Monroe Street Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0001 Dear Senator Atwater: Attached please find a copy of Resolution No. 2010-6 from the Village of Key Biscayne, Florida urging the Florida Legislature to adopt and the Governor to sign legislation prohibiting typing, sending or reading text messages and a -mails while operating a motor vehicle, and only allowing cell phone usage while driving when utilizing a hands -free device. The Village of Key Biscayne would appreciate any assistance you can provide with respect to this matter. Sincerely, aa/4/e on Nita H. Alvarez, MMC Village Clerk \cha1432c.let 88 West McIntyre Street • Suite 220 • Key Biscayne, Florida 33149 • (305) 365-5506 • Fax (305) 365-8914 MISSION STATEMENT: "TO PROVIDE A SAFE, QUALITY COMMUNITY ENVIRONMENT FOR ALL ISLANDERS THROUGH RESPONSIBLE GOVERNMENT." www.keybiscayne.fl.gov VILLAGE OF KEY BISCAYNE Office of the Village Clerk Village Council Robert L. Vernon, Mayor Enrique Garcia, Vice Mayor Michael W. Davey Robert Gusman Michael E. Kelly Jorge E. Mendia Thomas Thornton Village Clerk Conchita H. Alvarez, MMC March 3, 2010 The Honorable Larry Cretul, Speaker Florida House of Representatives 420 The Capitol 402 South Monroe Street Tallahassee, Florida 32399-1300 Dear Speaker Cretul: Attached please find a copy of Resolution No. 2010-6 from the Village of Key Biscayne, Florida urging the Florida Legislature to adopt and the Governor to sign legislation prohibiting typing, sending or reading text messages and e -mails while operating a motor vehicle, and only allowing cell phone usage while driving when utilizing a hands -free device. The Village of Key Biscayne would appreciate any assistance you can provide with respect to this matter. Sinc Conchita H. Alvarez, MMC Village Clerk \cha1432c.let 88 West McIntyre Street • Suite 220 • Key Biscayne, Florida 33149 • (305) 365-5506 • Fax (305) 365-8914 MISSION STATEMENT: "TO PROVIDE A SAFE, QUALITY COMMUNITY ENVIRONMENT FOR ALL ISLANDERS THROUGH RESPONSIBLE GOVERNMENT." www.keybiscayne.fl.gov VILLAGE OF KEY BISCAYNE Office of the Village Clerk Village Council Robert L. Vernon, Mayor Enrique Garcia, Vice Mayor Michael W. Davey Robert Gusman Michael E. Kelly Jorge E. Mendia Thomas Thornton Village Clerk Conchita H. Alvarez, MMC March 3, 2010 Miami -Dade County Legislative Delegation Stephen P. Clark Center 111 N.W. First Street, Suite 1032 Miami, Florida 33128 Gentlemen: Attached please find a copy of Resolution No. 2010-6 from the Village of Key Biscayne, Florida urging the Florida Legislature to adopt and the Governor to sign legislation prohibiting typing, sending or reading text messages and e -mails while operating a motor vehicle, and only allowing cell phone usage while driving when utilizing a hands -free device. The Village of Key Biscayne would appreciate any assistance you can provide with respect to this matter. Sinc • to H. Alvarez, MMC Village Clerk \cha1432c.let 88 West McIntyre Street • Suite 220 • Key Biscayne, Florida 33149 • (305) 365-5506 • Fax (305) 365-8914 MISSION STATEMENT. "TO PROVIDE A SAFE, QUALITY COMMUNITY ENVIRONMENT FOR ALL ISLANDERS THROUGH RESPONSIBLE GOVERNMENT" www.keybiscayne.fl.gov -r oy Erh, vQ($ 'y VILLAGE OF KEY BISCAYNE Office of the Village Clerk Village Council Robert L. Vernon, Mayor Enrique Garcia, Vice Mayor Michael W. Davey Robert Gusman Michael E. Kelly Jorge E. Mendia Thomas Thornton Village Clerk Conchita H. Alvarez, MMC March 3, 2010 Florida League of Cities 301 South Bronough Street, Suite 300 Post Office Box 1757 Tallahassee, Florida 32302-1757 Gentlemen: Attached please find a copy of Resolution No. 2010-6 from the Village of Key Biscayne, Florida urging the Florida Legislature to adopt and the Governor to sign legislation prohibiting typing, sending or reading text messages and a -mails while operating a motor vehicle, and only allowing cell phone usage while driving when utilizing a hands -free device. The Village of Key Biscayne would appreciate any assistance you can provide with respect to this matter. Conchita H. Alvarez, MMC Village Clerk \cha1432c.let 88 West McIntyre Street • Suite 220 • Key Biscayne, Florida 33149 • (305) 365-5506 • Fax (305) 365-8914 MISSION STATEMENT: "TO PROVIDE A SAFE, QUALITY COMMUNITY ENVIRONMENT FOR ALL ISLANDERS THROUGH RESPONSIBLE GOVERNMENT" www.keybiscayne.fl.gov pF KEY , VILLAGE OF KEY BISCAYNE Office of the Village Clerk Village Council Robert L. Vernon, Mayor Enrique Garcia, Vice Mayor Michael W. Davey Robert Gusman Michael E. Kelly Jorge E. Mendia Thomas Thornton Village Clerk Conchita H. Alvarez, MMC March 3, 2010 Miami -Dade County League of Cities 226 East Flager Street, Suite 200 Miami, Florida 33131 Gentlemen: Attached please find a copy of Resolution No. 2010-6 from the Village of Key Biscayne, Florida urging the Florida Legislature to adopt and the Governor to sign legislation prohibiting typing, sending or reading text messages and e -mails while operating a motor vehicle, and only allowing cell phone usage while driving when utilizing a hands -free device. The Village of Key Biscayne would appreciate any assistance you can provide with respect to this matter. Sin c ta H. Alvarez, MMC Village Clerk \cha1432c.let 88 West McIntyre Street • Suite 220 • Key Biscayne, Florida 33149 • (305) 365-5506 • Fax (305) 365-8914 MISSION STATEMENT: "TO PROVIDE A SAFE, QUALITY COMMUNITY ENVIRONMENT FOR ALL ISLANDERS THROUGH RESPONSIBLE GOVERNMENT." www.keybiscayne.fl.gov