Weekly Gator STEP data
Press release from Gainesville Police Department
The following data reflects citations, warnings, and tickets issued by the Gainesville Police Department (GPD) on West University Avenue from April 5-12, 2021. This data is part of GPD’s Gator STEP (Special Traffic Enforcement Program).
GPD is partnering with the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles and other agencies to educate Floridians about the importance of avoiding distracted driving with the Put It Down: Focus on Driving campaign. The Wireless Communications While Driving Law, section 316.305, Florida Statutes, took effect on July 1, 2019. This law requires drivers to put their phones down and focus on driving.
Gainesville neighbors can take the pledge here.
What is the Wireless Communications While Driving Law?
Section 316.305, Florida Statutes, allows law enforcement to stop motor vehicles and issue citations to motorists that are texting and driving. A person may not operate a motor vehicle while manually typing or entering multiple letters, numbers or symbols into a wireless communications device to text, email and instant message.
Section 316.306, Florida Statutes, is a prohibition on using wireless communications devices in a handheld manner in a school or work zone. A person may not operate a motor vehicle while using a wireless communications device in a handheld manner in a designated school crossing, school zone or active work zone area. Active work zone, as it pertains to Section 316.306, Florida Statutes, means that construction personnel are present or are operating equipment on the road or immediately adjacent to the work zone area.
If any of our neighbors have ideas or questions they’d like to share with GPD concerning Gator STEP, please feel free to contact us at gpdpio@cityofgainesville.org
Dear gpdpio@cityofgainesville.org,
Why don’t you enforce the laws that are in place instead of having the Gainesville Communist’ Commission dictating what you should look for?
I’m not an expert but from common sense and a little personal observations, people who are texting and driving are generally:
1. Drifting between the lines.
2. Keeping an abnormal distance between themselves and the vehicle in front of them, (especially at traffic signals).
3. In the early morning hours or at night, (when it’s dark), there tends to be an illuminating device in the driver’s hands.
4. Run red lights.
5. Are usually younger than 30. (Watch out for profiling)
6. Are more likely to run over people on University Avenue.
It’s not rocket science.