Aggressive Driving-The Senate Raises the Bar? Gainesville Accident Attorney states his side of the road

Is the Florida Senate making it harder to crack down on aggressive driving by raising the bar?

Apparently, yes.  The Senate aims to raise the minimum number of aggressive driving acts from two to three, before it's a punishable offense.

This means an aggressive driver has to display at minimum three (3), instead of two, of following aggressive acts:

• Exceeding the posted speed limit;
• Unsafely or improperly changing lanes;
• Following a vehicle too closely;
• Failing to yield the right of way;
• Improperly passing or failing to move right for an overtaking vehicle; and/or
• Failing to follow traffic controls or devices.

On April 6, 2011, the Senate passed the Highway Safety Act (S.B. 244), 37-to-1, which aims to amend Florida Statutes §316.1923, making it harder for law enforcement to crack down on aggressive driving.

As an experienced automobile accident attorney in Gainesville and the surrounding area, I think a driver who is speeding; weaving in and out of traffic poses a sufficient aggressive driving danger.  But, apparently, the Senate thinks otherwise. Personally, I do not see how this Act benefits motorists at large, by making it more difficult to punish an aggressive driver. 

Hopefully, the Senate has a reasonable explanation, and the amended law won't victimize safe drivers at the hands of aggressive drivers.  If the House and Governor sign off on the proposed amendment, watch out for potentially more aggressive drivers on the road in late 2011. 

For more information:

Senate Bill Keeps Motorists to the Right - Better to let Danger Pass?

Aggressive Driving Defined - How to identify it on the road.

Aggressive Driving Special Patrol