A Florida influencer is speaking out after a traffic ticket she received was dismissed for using her “right hand” while driving, despite not having her right hand.Katie, known online as “Slightlyoff.balance”, an adaptive athlete who documents her life with a limb difference, went viral after sharing details of the incident on social media.
She was stopped earlier this year in February by a Florida cop while driving along North Dixie Highway.According to police body camera footage, the officer said he believed she was holding a cell phone in her “right hand” while she was behind the wheel. However, Katie does not have the right hand.Despite her explanation, she was issued a citation for “walkie-talkie/handheld while driving – first offense” under Florida Statute 316.305(3)(a), carrying a civil penalty of $116.
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 showing the difference in her limbs. Many social media users encouraged her to challenge the ticket.She later pleaded not guilty in court and continues to share updates about her case. A hearing was scheduled for May 27.Prior to this appearance, Katie uploaded the body camera footage she requested. In the video, the officer tells her she was stopped because she was holding a phone while driving. Katie responds by raising her right arm and says: “Obviously not” before adding: “So do you want to call it a day?”But the officer insists that he saw her using the phone and continues to question her about it.
At some point, he asked her to extend her hand to God, and he raised her right arm to Him. The officer replies: “The other hand belongs to God.”He then proceeds to verify her license and registration before issuing a citation.The officer later requested that the citation be dismissed before the court hearing. Katie later confirmed that the case was dropped due to a “lack of evidence.”
