5/23/05-Gov. Jeb Bush vetoed a bill May 19 intended to cut down on road rage by limiting the left lanes of Florida highways to passing only.
HB157, which overwhelmingly passed the Legislature last month, sought to combat aggressive driving on the state’s multilane highways by reducing the number of drivers in the far left-hand lane.
Dubbed the “Road Rage Reduction Act,” it would have given law enforcement more authority to ticket drivers who block traffic, even if they are driving the speed limit.
Those who lag in the left lane could have been ticketed and fined $60 with three points against their driver’s licenses.
The law would not have applied when there are no other vehicles in the left lane.
In his veto message, Bush said the measure would punish people driving the speed limit for not getting out of the way of speeders. He also said there’s no proof of a problem that would require such a rule.
Sen. Mike Bennett, R-Bradenton, the bill’s sponsor in the Senate, said he planned to refile the effort next year.

4/19/05-The Legislature has approved a bill intended to keep slow drivers out of the fast lane. It now moves to Gov. Jeb Bush.
House lawmakers voted 113-4 April 14 to give the measure their final approval. The Senate approved the bill 28-10 a week earlier.
Dubbed the “Road Rage Reduction Act,” HB157 would give law enforcement more authority to ticket drivers who block traffic, even if they are driving the speed limit.
Those who lag in the left lane could be ticketed and fined $60 with four points against their driver’s licenses.
The law would not apply when there are no other vehicles in the left lane.
An effort was nixed that sought to add a provision to the bill that would have permitted law enforcement to pull over drivers for not buckling up. Currently, officers can issue seat-belt citations to drivers only after stopping a vehicle for another traffic violation.
For bill status, call (850) 488-4371. In Florida, call 1-800-342-1827.

4/1/05-The House voted 109-4 April 5 to approve a bill intended to keep slow drivers out of the fast lane. It now moves to the Senate.
Rep. Ken Sorensen, R-Key Largo, said he sponsored the bill – HB157 – to combat aggressive driving on the state’s multilane highways to reduce the number of drivers in the left lane.
Dubbed the “Road Rage Reduction Act,” it would give law enforcement more authority to ticket drivers who block traffic, even if they are driving the speed limit.
Those who lag in the left lane could be ticketed and fined $60 with four points against their driver’s licenses.
The law would not apply when there are no other vehicles in the left lane.
For bill status, call (850) 488-4371. In Florida, call 1-800-342-1827.

1/31/05-Rep. Ken Sorensen, R-Key Largo, has sponsored a bill intended to combat aggressive driving on the state’s multi-lane highways.
H157, also known as the Road Rage Reduction Act, is designed to reduce the amount of drivers in the left lane.
Sorensen’s bill would give troopers the flexibility to ticket drivers who go too slowly in the left lane, blocking the normal flow of traffic.
Those who lag in the left lane could be ticketed and fined $60 with four points off the driver’s license.
The law would not apply when there are no other vehicles in the left lane.
The bill has been sent to a handful of House committees.
For bill status, call (850) 488-4371. In Florida, call 1-800-342-1827.
An identical bill – S732 – is in the Senate.