What's Tampa Bay Saying?

Should Texting While Driving Be Banned in Florida?

Are you in favor of such a law? Do you think it goes too far, or not far enough?

Florida could soon join 39 other states that have banned texting while driving. A bill filed last week by state Rep. Doug Holder, R-Sarasota, would make texting while driving a secondary offense under which a driver can receive a citation, but only after he or she is pulled over for a primary offense such as speeding or reckless driving, TBO.com reports. The bill doesn't prohibit all use of handheld devices while driving, as some state laws do, and cell phone calls would still be permitted. "If you are texting while driving, you are 23 times more likely to have an accident," Holder told TBO. "I think the timing is right. I think we are going to get something passed." Are you in favor of such a law in Florida? Do you think it goes too far, …

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Drowsy Driving Prevention Week Under Way

The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles and the Florida Department of Transportation are teaming up with lawmakers and safety advocates during the first week in September to get out the message of the dangers of drowsy driving.

A study by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration found 37 percent of Americans admitted to falling asleep behind the wheel. Sleepiness slows reaction time, decreases awareness, impairs judgment and increases the risk of crashing. That is why the Florida Legislature designated the first week of September every year as Drowsy Driving Prevention Week. Gov. Rick Scott signed a formal proclamation this year for the week of Sept. 1–7, which includes the Labor Day holiday. AAA projects 33 million Americans will journey 50 miles or more from home during the 2012 holiday weekend, and 2.6 percent more Floridians will travel this year. The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles and the Florida Department of …

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Whiskey Park North Shooting: What People Are Saying

The shooting occurred on Saturday morning at the Carrollwood bar.

Early Saturday morning, one man was fatally shot and an unidentified individual was treated and released from a local hospital after an incident at Whiskey Park North, a Carrollwood bar. Authorities say Pablo Bonilla, 23, got into an argument around 1 a.m. with Jordan Lee McKenna, 27, inside the club at 11921 N. Dale Mabry Highway. The argument occurred because Bonilla saw McKenna talking to his girlfriend, authorities said. A few hours later, while Bonilla, his girlfriend and others were getting into their vehicles, a blue Dodge Charger driven by McKenna stopped next to them. An unknown white man got out of the car and fired shots, hitting Bonilla and the unidentified victim. Bonilla later died, and the second victim was treated and …

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Man Shot, Killed Outside Whiskey Park North

He was observed in a heated exchange with an unidentified man inside the bar before the shooting occurred.

One man is dead and another person injured after shots were fired in the parking lot of a Carrollwood bar. According to the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office, Pablo Bonilla, 23, died from injuries sustained when a car pulled up in the parking lot of Whiskey Park North and someone got out and fired multiple shots early Saturday morning. According to a media release, just before the bar at 11921-6 N. Dale Mabry Hwy closed at 3 a.m., Bonilla and his girlfriend were inside the establishment when Bonilla observed an unidentified man taking to his girlfriend. Both Bonilla and the unidentified man exchanged heated words but were separated before any further escalation, the release stated. After the bar closed, Bonilla and his girlfriend along …

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