The Pinellas Police Standards Council is a local body founded in 1972 designed to conduct research, coordinate policy between agencies and make recommendations to the legislative delegation to improve the quality of law enforcement in Pinellas County and across Florida.

PINELLAS COUNTY – The Pinellas Police Standards Council passed a resolution today (Feb. 14) passed a resolution urging the support of Florida House Bill 33, which would make texting while driving a primary offense.

The council cited national statistics that show an average of eight people a day are killed on roads in the U.S. because of distracted driving. Members of the council want Florida to join at least 43 other states that have recognized the dangers of texting while driving and have made it a primary offense.

Under current Florida law, police officers cannot stop a motorist solely for texting while driving. It can be cited only as a secondary offense if an officer pulls over a motorist for speeding or some other primary offense.

“This is a long-overdue step to provide law enforcement with the right tools to combat distracted driving and to mitigate the impacts distracted driving has on public safety and law enforcement resources,” said Treasure Island Police Chief Armand J.J.Boudreau, chairman of the council.

The Pinellas Police Standards Council is a local body founded in 1972 designed to conduct research, coordinate policy between agencies, and make recommendations to the legislative delegation to improve the quality of law enforcement in Pinellas County and across Florida. It is made up of the state attorney, sheriff, local police chiefs and the director of the police academy.

Police Standards Council | Pinellas | Texting While Driving | Crime | Public Safety | Tampabay News

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