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Charlotte County unanimously backs hands-free driving resolution, asks staff to support HB 501
Summary
The Board passed a resolution supporting hands-free cellphone use while driving and amended it to direct staff to add support for HB 501 to the county’s state legislative agenda; the motion passed unanimously.
The Charlotte County Board of County Commissioners voted unanimously on March 11 to adopt a resolution supporting hands-free cellphone use while driving and to ask staff to add formal county support for House Bill 501 to the county's state legislative agenda.
Commissioner Daugherty moved approval of the resolution; the board debated broader distracted-driving concerns during discussion, with other commissioners noting examples of risky behaviors beyond cellphone use. During debate the motion was amended to direct staff to add support for HB 501 to the county’s legislative agenda; commissioners voted to approve the amendment and then to adopt the resolution as amended. The actions passed unanimously.
Commissioners framed the resolution as data-driven and focused on reducing distracted driving. Commissioner Deutsch and others said the county could later return with broader language addressing other forms of distracted driving, but the adopted resolution and amendment were explicitly tied to the hands-free legislation and HB 501 as shown in the meeting record.
Ending: The board’s decision sends a clear local policy signal in favor of hands-free cellphone restrictions and instructs staff to pursue the county’s legislative support for HB 501.
