The legislation would allow law-enforcement officers to pull over motorists if they see them texting or emailing. Currently, texting while driving is a secondary offense, meaning officers can only charge motorists with texting violations during traffic stops for other offenses, such as speeding. (Gatehouse Media File)

Ban texting behind the wheel – for real

Yesterday, eight people lost their lives. Eight sons, daughters, mothers and fathers were taken from their families and friends. Today, another eight were killed. Tomorrow, eight more.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, eight is the number of people who are killed each day in the U.S. due to distracted driving.

My role as a police chief is to protect and serve. The Ponce Inlet Police Department’s No. 1 concern is public safety. All too often, our police officers witness first-hand the devastation and the deadly consequences of distracted driving.

That’s why the Florida Police Chiefs Association and police chiefs across the state urge lawmakers to pass House Bill 33, which would make texting while driving a primary offense.

Not only will HB 33 make texting while driving a primary offense, it will mark a significant chapter in our state’s history in which our lawmakers champion the safety of Florida citizens.

I look forward to the swift passage of this bill and the day Gov. Rick Scott signs this critical policy into law. We, as leaders in our state, owe it to those we serve.

Frank G. Fabrizio

Ponce Inlet

Fabrizio is chief of police for Ponce Inlet.

One word off

The cartoon by Steve Sack, showing FBI Headquarters surrounded by the GOP, was intriguing and provocative. The command to “Throw down your independence and come out with your hands up” was misleading. Replace the word “independence” with “corruption” and it would have been perfect.

Robert J. Pfeifer

Ormond Beach

Back to basics

President Trump is apparently rushing to replace the leadership of law enforcement in the U.S.A. — the FBI, the CIA, and the Department of Justice — before Robert Mueller’s investigation reports its findings to American citizens and to the world. Strangely enough, many of the people Trump plans to fire and replace are his own appointees.

Let us hope patriotism will replace partisan politics, so American government once again represents the majority of American voters, not the privileged, not gerrymandered districts, not online Russian propaganda, not Electoral College peculiarities, and not plutocracy, but democracy: the will of the majority.

Philip Ewanicki

South Daytona