A Florida influencer without a right hand was ticketed for using his phone with his “right hand” while driving
A Florida influencer is speaking out after a traffic ticket she received for using her “right hand” while driving was dismissed, even though she doesn’t have one.Katie, known online as “Slightlyoff.balance,” is an adaptive athlete who documents her life with a limb difference, going viral after sharing details of the incident on social media. In early February, she was pulled over by a Florida State Trooper while driving on North Dixie Highway.Based on police body camera footage, the officer said he believed she was holding her phone in her “right hand” while driving. However, Katie does not have a right hand.Despite her explanation, she was ticketed for “Use of a Wireless Communication Device/Handheld Device While Driving – First Offense” under Florida Statute 316.305(3)(a) and was assessed a $116 civil penalty.The incident went viral after Katie posted a video on TikTok describing what happened. She said she was stopped for using her “right hand” and responded by demonstrating her limb difference. Many social media users encouraged her to challenge the ticket.She later pleaded not guilty in court and continued to share updates on the case. A hearing is scheduled for May 27.Before that appearance, Katie uploaded the body camera footage she requested. In the video, the officer tells her she was pulled over for holding a cell phone while driving. Katie raised her right arm and responded, “Obviously not,” before adding, “So you want to call it a day?”However, the officer maintained that he saw her using the phone and continued to question her about it. At one point, he asked her to “stretch out a hand to God,” and she raised her right hand to God. The officer replied, “Give the other hand to God.”He then checks her license and registration before issuing a citation.The officer later asked that the subpoena be dismissed pending a court hearing. Katie later confirmed the case had been dropped due to a “lack of evidence”.
