HomeMy Public PortalAbout09-7952 Prohibiting Individual for Writing and Receiving Text Messages Sponsored by: Mayor J. Kelley/Commissioner D. Johnson
RESOLUTION NO. 09-7952
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE
CITY OPA-LOCKA, FLORIDA, URGING THE
LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF FLORIDA TO ENACT
LEGISLATION PROHIBITING AN INDIVIDUAL FROM
WRITING SENDING OR RECEIVING TEXT MESSAGES
WHILE OPERATING A MOTOR VEHICLE
WHEREAS, the National Safety Council has reported that using a cell phone while
driving quadruples a driver's risk of getting into an automobile accident; and
WHEREAS, studies have shown that driving while on the phone is the same as being
legally drunk or having a blood alcohol level of.08 percent; and
WHEREAS, a study from the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute found that drivers
who text message while driving face a 23 times greater risk than undistracted drivers from
crashing or having a near crash; and
WHEREAS, the National Safety Council encourages states to regulate cell phone use
while driving and to include text messaging technology in any regulation; and
WHEREAS, a Federal Bill was recently proposed to reduce the amount of Federal
highway funding available to States that do not enact a law prohibiting an individual from
writing sending or reading text messages while operating a motor vehicle; and
WHEREAS, 17 States and the District of Columbia have already enacted legislation that
prohibits an individual from writing sending or reading text messages while operating a motor
vehicle; and
WHEREAS, the City Commission of the City of Opa-locka believes that regulating text
messaging while driving is necessary for the health safety and welfare of residents of the City of
Opa-locka.
NOW,THEREFORE,BE IT DULY RESOLVED BY THE CITY COMMISSION
OF THE CITY OF OPA-LOCKA,FLORIDA:
Section 1. The recitals to the preamble are hereby incorporated by reference.
Section 2. The City Commission of the City of Opa-locka hereby urges the Florida
Legislature to enact legislation prohibiting an individual from writing sending or reading text
messages while operating a motor vehicle.
Section 3. The City Commission of the City of Opa-locka hereby directs the City
Clerk to transmit copies of this Resolution to the Governor of the State of Florida, the President
of the Florida Senate, the Speaker of the Florida House of Representatives, the Mayor and
Members of the Miami-Dade County Commission, Representatives in the Florida Legislature,
and to each of the municipalities of the Miami-Dade County League of Cities.
Section 4. This resolution shall take effect immediately upon adoption.
PASSED AND ADOPTED this 28 day of OCTOBER , 2009.
JOS P L. LLEY
MAYO
Attest: Approved as to form and legal fficiency:
Deborah S. Irby Burnadette No eeks
City Clerk City Attorney
Moved by: JOHNSON
Seconded by: TAYLOR
Commission Vote: 5-0
Commissioner Holmes: YES
Commissioner Johnson: YES
Commissioner Tydus: YES
Vice-Mayor Taylor: YES
YES
Mayor Kelley: