10/27/09-Sen. Mike Bennett, R-Bradenton, has prefiled a bill for the 2010 regular session that would give law enforcement more authority to ticket drivers who block traffic, even if they are driving the speed limit in the left lane. A failure to stay to the right would be included as one of the offenses that make up “aggressive careless driving.”
Dubbed the “Highway Safety Act,” the bill would prohibit travelers from driving in the left lane of a multi-lane highway when they are about to be overtaken by another vehicle.
S482 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 the session that begins in March.