WHAT WILL BE FLORIDA LAW? RED LIGHT CAMERA; ROAD RAGE; TEXTING & DRIVING

With Florida being ranked third in car accident deaths after California and Texas, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the Florida Legislature is tackling Florida car accidents in the final week of this legislative session. However, it appears only one bill will become Florida law.

Both the House and Senate passed a bill allowing local governments to use cameras at traffic intersections to catch red-light runners. "The main reason for this bill is to make roadways safe and to protect the lives of our men, women and children in the state of Florida," said Sen. Thad Altman, R-Melbourne, who sponsored the bill in the Senate. Governor Charlie Crist is likely to sign this bill into law.

The red light bill lets local governments install cameras at intersections and charges a $158 civil fine to motorists who run a red light. The measure makes it a civil infraction that doesn't factor into auto insurance rates.

Another bill being considered to reduce Florida automobile accidents caused by road rage is in the works of getting to the Governor's desk for signature. In a 30-6 vote, the Florida Senate passed a bill (SB 482) Tuesday that would require drivers in the left lane of a multilane highway to move out of the way of faster-moving traffic. The House is poised to pass it this week. "Road rage is one of the largest causes of traffic accidents, and unfortunately when they happen at 80 miles per hour, people die," said Sen. Michael Bennett, R-Bradenton, the bill's sponsor.

However, a law banning texting and driving does not look possible this year. The Florida Senate passed a bill (SB 448) Tuesday to ban texting while driving. Under the Senate bill, first-time violators could be fined $30 plus court costs. A second offense within five years would be a moving violation, costing the texting driver $60 plus court costs.
However, it is unlikely a similar bill will pass the Florida House where Rep. Ellyn Bogdanoff, R-Fort Lauderdale, chairwoman of the House Finance and Tax Council, refuses to advance it because it doesn't address all driving distractions.

Car accidents are the number one killer of Florida teenagers and too many families are forever changed because of the negligence of another driver. If your family member has been injured in a Florida car accident, motorcycle crash or other personal injury, you need to talk to a lawyer to understand your rights. Insurance companies have attorneys looking out for their best interest--so should you!

Personal Injury Attorney Matthew Noyes has been caring for clients after Florida auto accidents, motorcycle crashes, bicycle crashes and other accidents for nearly two decades. His Tampa Bay personal injury law firm--Perenich, Caulfield, Avril & Noyes--has been fighting insurance companies since 1955. Contact Personal Injury Attorney Matthew Noyes for a free case consultation after your accident.