1. News & Issues
About.com
Urban Legends

New Florida Traffic Laws 2007

Hoax email purports to announce a set of new Florida driving laws effective August 1, 2007.


Description: Email hoax
Circulating since: August 2007 (this version)
Status: False


Email example contributed by James R., 10 August 2007:

Subject: FW: New State of Florida Regulations Regarding Cellphone Usage and other driving matters

These are new fines that were implemented on 8/1/07 for the State of Florida:

As of 08/01/07 cell phone use must be "hands free" while driving. Ticket is $285. They will be looking for this like crazy - easy money for police department.

Cell phone use in the construction zone. - Double fine as of 08/01/07. Cell phone use must be "hands free" while driving.

Carpool lane - 1st time $1,068.50 starting 8/1/07 (The $271 posted on the highway is old). Don't do it again because 2nd time is going to be double, 3rd time triple and 4th time license suspended.

Incorrect lane change - $380. Don't cross the lane on solid lines or intersections. Block intersection - $485.

Driving on the shoulder - $450.

Passengers over 18 not in their seatbelts - both passengers and drivers get tickets.

Speeders can only drive 3 miles above the limit.

DUI (Driving under Influence=JAIL and stays on your driving record for 10 years!)


Comments: False. This message is a slightly revised version of an email hoax circulating since January 2007 which purports to announce new California traffic laws slated to go into effect this year.

Similar copycat hoaxes have also circulated in Texas and Georgia.

Debunked in local media:

  • "TALLAHASSEE — Hundreds, if not thousands, of Floridians are getting e-mails warning of new traffic fines including $285 for improperly using a cellphone and $1,068.50 for illegally driving in a carpool lane. Outraged motorists are calling Florida's motor vehicle department demanding to know more about the new laws. The answer: There are no new laws. It is all an email hoax." -- More from Palm Beach Post


  • ""We have been getting a lot of calls on this," Pat Santangelo of the Florida Highway Patrol said. NBC 6's Hank Tester quizzed cell phone users on the street in South Florida. "I heard about that," Cindy Maradona said. "I was all ready to buy a Bluetooth." It turned out the e-mail was only a rumor. "I have seen the e-mail you have seen," Santangelo said. "That's not anything official from the state of Florida." -- More from NCB6-TV News


Email This Article


Further reading:

False Tales About Big Fines Frighten Georgia Drivers
Atlanta Journal-Constitution, 14 July 2007

GSP Warns of Hoax Traffic Law Email
WGCL-TV News, 13 July 2007

Email Hoax Warns of Fake New Texas Traffic Laws
Associated Press, 3 July 2007

Beware of Texas Traffic Law Hoax, DPS Says
KWTX.com, 3 July 2007

Hoax: New California Traffic Laws for 2007
Earliest version of this hoax, in circulation since January 2007


Last updated: 08/14/07


Current Hoaxes / Netlore
The Urban Legends Top 25

Discuss in my forum

©2013 About.com. All rights reserved.