Florida Driver With No Right Hand Cited for Holding Phone in “Right Hand” While Driving
A Florida driver with no right hand was cited by law enforcement after being told her phone was in her “right hand” while driving — a detail she insists is impossible and is now battling in court.
The encounter in Lake Worth Beach, Fla. has gone viral after the driver recorded the traffic stop and challenged the officer’s claim, raising questions about how Florida’s distracted driving laws are enforced.
According to the citation, a deputy from the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office stopped her on February 11 along North Dixie Highway and cited her under Florida Statute 316.305(3)(a) for “Wireless Comm. Device/Handheld While Driving – First Offense.”
In the TikTok video, the deputy states he saw her holding the phone in her “right hand.” She then lifts her arm, showing no hand or wrist below her elbow, and presses him on the inconsistency. She has requested body camera footage from PBSO as part of her challenge.
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Legal experts in the case told reporters that Florida’s distracted driving law focuses on manually typing or entering letters, numbers, or symbols into a device — not merely holding it — and that officers must make a reasonable observation of that behavior before issuing a citation.
Attorney Ted Hollander described the stop to CBS12, noting neither a school zone nor an active construction zone was marked on the ticket, which attorneys say would generally be required for holding alone to be a violation.
“It’s really difficult for the officer to prove that unless they visually see it or have it on their cameras,” an attorney explained regarding enforcement challenges.
The woman plans to contest the citation in traffic court, seeking dismissal. Her case has drawn widespread online discussion as a curious test of distracted driving enforcement and the burden of proof required for such citations.
As the hearing date approaches, many observers are waiting to see whether the court will weigh the unique physical evidence against the officer’s reported observation. The outcome could have implications for how similar citations are handled in Florida.
The story remains active, with body camera footage and court filings expected to add new details.
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