Originally published from Bay News 9: Florida bills aim to keep hands on steering wheel and off of devices
Distracted driving continues to be one of the most preventable dangers on Florida roads. As lawmakers consider new legislation aimed at reducing distractions behind the wheel, Auto Safety Driving School is proud to see its own senior instructor, Billy York, featured in a Spectrum News Tampa Bay report addressing the issue.
The proposed legislation—Senate Bill 1152 and House Bill 1241—would make it illegal for drivers to continuously hold a phone or electronic device while operating a vehicle. The bills go beyond current Florida law, which only restricts handheld device use in specific situations such as school and work zones.
Why Hands-Free Laws Matter
According to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, nearly 300 people were killed and more than 2,200 were injured in distracted-driving crashes in 2024 alone. These are not unavoidable accidents—they are preventable.
Billy York made that point clear in the Spectrum News interview, supporting stricter hands-free rules and emphasizing a simple truth: fewer distractions lead to safer drivers.
At Auto Safety Driving School, this philosophy isn’t new. It’s been part of our training standards for years.
Auto Safety’s Rules Go Beyond the Law
While Florida law currently allows limited device use, Auto Safety Driving School enforces stricter rules during instruction. Students are not allowed to use their phones at all while driving—period.
This policy is clearly outlined in our student agreement and enforced consistently during lessons. Phones must be silenced, stored away, or placed out of reach. If a student attempts to use a device, instructors intervene immediately to remove the distraction.
The reason is straightforward: learning to drive safely requires full attention. Social media, texts, calls, and notifications all take focus away from what matters most—the road.
Real-World Experience, Real-World Authority
Billy York has spent over a decade teaching drivers how to operate vehicles safely and legally in real traffic conditions. His comments in the Spectrum News report reflect what instructors see daily—drivers holding phones to their ears, balancing devices on their shoulders, or attempting to multitask while steering with one hand.
These habits are dangerous, and they’re becoming more common as devices become more integrated into daily life.
At Auto Safety Driving School, we believe hands belong on the steering wheel. Technology should never compete with driving for a person’s attention.
Setting the Standard for Safer Roads
As Florida lawmakers debate stronger hands-free laws, Auto Safety Driving School remains aligned with the goal of reducing preventable crashes. Whether or not the legislation passes this session, our standards will remain the same.
Safe driving starts with discipline, awareness, and training—not with relying on loopholes in the law.
Billy York’s feature on Spectrum News reinforces Auto Safety Driving School’s role as a trusted authority in driver education and road safety. Our mission has always been clear: train drivers to stay focused, follow the law, and make decisions that protect themselves and everyone else on the road.
