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| Legislative Watch | 
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Florida |
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2/22/07-A bill has failed to advance that was intended to combat aggressive driving on the state's multilane highways by reducing the number of drivers in the far left-hand lane.
Sponsored by Sen. Mike Bennett, R-Bradenton, S536, Dubbed the "Highway Safety Act," received a tie vote in the Senate Transportation Committee, effectively ending it chances for passage this year.
The bill would have given law enforcement more authority to ticket drivers who block traffic, even if they are driving the speed limit. A failure to stay to the right would have been included as one of the offenses that make up "aggressive careless driving."
The measure would have prohibited travelers from driving in the left lane of a multi-lane highway when they are about to be overtaken by another vehicle.
The bill also changed, from two to three, the number of driving offenses that must be committed at one time to constitute "aggressive careless driving."
Violators would have faced a $100 fine in addition to any other fines. Repeat offenders would have faced as much as a $500 fine and a mandatory court appearance. Drivers also would have received points for each offense committed.
Despite the roadblock in the Senate the issue isn't completely dead in the Legislature. A companion bill in the House - H731 - is in committee.
1/17/07-Sen. Mike Bennett, R-Bradenton, has filed a bill that is intended to combat aggressive driving on the state's multilane highways by reducing the number of drivers in the far left-hand lane.
S536, Dubbed the "Highway Safety Act," would give law enforcement more authority to ticket drivers who block traffic, even if they are driving the speed limit. A failure to stay to the right would be included as one of the offenses that make up "aggressive careless driving."
The measure would prohibit travelers from driving in the left lane of a multi-lane highway when they are about to be overtaken by another vehicle.
The bill also changes, from two to three, the number of driving offenses that must be committed at one time to constitute "aggressive careless driving."
Violators would face a $100 fine in addition to any other fines. Repeat offenders would face as much as a $500 fine and a mandatory court appearance. Drivers also would receive points for each offense committed.
The bill is awaiting assignment to committee.
For bill status, call (850) 488-4371. In Florida, call 1-800-342-1827.
Sponsored by Sen. Mike Bennett, R-Bradenton, S536, Dubbed the "Highway Safety Act," received a tie vote in the Senate Transportation Committee, effectively ending it chances for passage this year.
The bill would have given law enforcement more authority to ticket drivers who block traffic, even if they are driving the speed limit. A failure to stay to the right would have been included as one of the offenses that make up "aggressive careless driving."
The measure would have prohibited travelers from driving in the left lane of a multi-lane highway when they are about to be overtaken by another vehicle.
The bill also changed, from two to three, the number of driving offenses that must be committed at one time to constitute "aggressive careless driving."
Violators would have faced a $100 fine in addition to any other fines. Repeat offenders would have faced as much as a $500 fine and a mandatory court appearance. Drivers also would have received points for each offense committed.
Despite the roadblock in the Senate the issue isn't completely dead in the Legislature. A companion bill in the House - H731 - is in committee.
1/17/07-Sen. Mike Bennett, R-Bradenton, has filed a bill that is intended to combat aggressive driving on the state's multilane highways by reducing the number of drivers in the far left-hand lane.
S536, Dubbed the "Highway Safety Act," would give law enforcement more authority to ticket drivers who block traffic, even if they are driving the speed limit. A failure to stay to the right would be included as one of the offenses that make up "aggressive careless driving."
The measure would prohibit travelers from driving in the left lane of a multi-lane highway when they are about to be overtaken by another vehicle.
The bill also changes, from two to three, the number of driving offenses that must be committed at one time to constitute "aggressive careless driving."
Violators would face a $100 fine in addition to any other fines. Repeat offenders would face as much as a $500 fine and a mandatory court appearance. Drivers also would receive points for each offense committed.
The bill is awaiting assignment to committee.
For bill status, call (850) 488-4371. In Florida, call 1-800-342-1827.