The Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office has launched a Distracted Driving Safety Program aimed at reducing traffic crashes caused by careless and distracted driving, officials announced Monday.
Careless driving—including behaviors such as texting, eating, or interacting with in-vehicle systems—has been identified as the most common cause of traffic crashes in Miami-Dade County. According to the Florida Department of Transportation, Florida recorded 48,537 motor vehicle crashes involving distracted driving in 2021, resulting in 2,756 serious injuries and 308 fatalities.
To address the issue, the Florida Department of Transportation initiated the “Put It Down” Distracted Driving Campaign, which focuses on public education and awareness to promote safer driving practices statewide.
In support of those efforts, the Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office Motorcycle Units will conduct specialized enforcement operations throughout the county to educate motorists and enforce distracted driving violations. Enforcement locations will be determined using data-driven crash and violation statistics.
Florida law allows officers to stop and cite drivers for certain distracted driving behaviors. Under Section 316.305 of the Florida Statutes, law enforcement may issue citations to motorists who are texting and driving. The law prohibits manually typing or entering multiple letters, numbers, or symbols into a wireless communications device for texting, emailing, or instant messaging while operating a motor vehicle.
Additionally, Section 316.306 of the Florida Statutes prohibits the use of handheld wireless communications devices in designated school zones, school crossings, and active work zones. An active work zone is defined as an area where construction personnel are present or equipment is being operated on or adjacent to the roadway.
The Distracted Driving Safety Program will run from February 2, 2026, through September 30, 2026. Enforcement efforts officially began at 7 a.m. on February 2 and will continue across various areas of Miami-Dade County.
Officials say the initiative is intended to improve roadway safety and reduce preventable injuries and fatalities linked to distracted driving.
