Hands-free portion of texting and driving law takes effect

Since July 1, 2019, the Florida Highway Patrol has issued 463 warnings for texting and driving, while law enforcement statewide has issued 605 tickets. The hands-free portion of the law began on Oct. 1, with officers directed to provide verbal or written warnings until the end of the year to motorists who don’t put down cell phones in school and work zones. Tickets will start to be issued Jan. 1, punishable as a moving violation with three points assessed against the driver’s license.