UPDATE:
On 5/02/2008; The Bill died in Finance and Tax, another great service to the citizens these legislators represent. They didn't even vote on the bill.
UPDATE:
On 4/21/2008; the Bill has passed the Criminal Justice Committee with 6 YEAS and 1 NAY. You can view the status at the bill website. As of 4/26/2008 the Bill has now moved to "Pending reference review under Rule 4.7(2); Now in Finance and Tax -SJ 00753"
I strongly urge everyone to take 5 minutes out of your day and send a few e-mails. You now have an opportunity to voice your opinion in a traffic law that will change the way Florida Traffic Flows. I've posted the summary of the law below, in addition to the e-mail address of a few legislators that will be deciding the issue. Please take the time to support this cause.
S658 Road Rage and Aggressive Careless Driving [EPCC]; Creates the "Highway Safety Act" to reduce road rage and aggressive careless driving, reduce the incidence of drivers' interfering with the movement of traffic, minimize crashes, and promote the orderly, free flow of traffic on state roads and highways. Requires a driver to yield the left lane when being overtaken by a motor vehicle traveling at a higher rate of speed on roads, streets, or highways with two or more lanes, etc.
Link to the Bill: http://flsenate.gov/session/index.cf...lnum=658<br />
Legislators:
Quick Copy'nPaste List:
dockery.paula.web@flsenate.gov, aronberg.dave.web@flsenate.gov, crist.victor.web@flsenate.gov, dawson.mandy.web@flsenate.gov, king.james.web@flsenate.gov, lynn.evelyn.web@flsenate.gov, wilson.frederica.web@flsenate.gov, wise.stephen.web@flsenate.gov
Sample Message:
"I strongly encourage you to support the upcoming S658 on Road Rage and Aggressive Careless Driving. Over the past several years Road Rage has become a growing concern in our community and approving a bill such as the S658 would help greatly reduce driver interference that results often in Road Rage. This bill will also provide assistant in reducing traffic congestion and will make our roadways safer than without."
- Chair: Senator Paula Dockery (R) - Email: dockery.paula.web@flsenate.gov
- Vice Chair: Senator Dave Aronberg (D) - Email: aronberg.dave.web@flsenate.gov
Senator Victor D. Crist (R) - Email: crist.victor.web@flsenate.gov
Senator M. Mandy Dawson (D) - Email: dawson.mandy.web@flsenate.gov
Senator James E. "Jim" King, Jr. (R) - Email: king.james.web@flsenate.gov
Senator Evelyn J. Lynn (R) - Email: lynn.evelyn.web@flsenate.gov
Senator Frederica S. Wilson (D) - Email: wilson.frederica.web@flsenate.gov
Senator Stephen R. Wise (R) - Email: wise.stephen.web@flsenate.gov
Why approve this law?
Link: http://www.motorists.org/lanecourtes...portant/<br />
-It will reduce road rage incidents by reducing traffic interference.
-It will increase the flow of traffic, allowing faster traffic to pass slower traffic.
-It will provide an open lane for situations where a lane might need to be cleared quickly, ie an Ambulance approaches...
-It allow officers to easily ticket "evil" speeders if necessary.
Lane courtesy is the simple act of moving to the right to allow faster traffic to pass. This act of courtesy will significantly improve highway safety. By not obstructing other drivers, we are allowing traffic to flow more smoothly. When traffic flows smoothly, there is less tailgating, less weaving in-and-out of traffic, and therefore fewer accidents.
When drivers exercise lane courtesy, they defuse the situations that cause road rage. Ask almost any motorist what irritates them the most and the majority will answer, "left lane hogs." It is the failure of slower traffic to keep right or yield to the right, when faster traffic approaches, that makes driving a frustrating burden. The courteous act of moving to the right can eliminate driver stress and conflict, and make fellow travelers happy to share the road.
Yielding to faster traffic also reduces road congestion. When traffic is flowing smoothly, highway capacity can be utilized to its fullest extent. There are fewer speed fluctuations and lane changes, and less tail-gating. Also, an added benefit of lane courtesy is reduced air pollution.
Almost all states have some type of "slower traffic keep right" law. Now is the time to reawaken interest and support for this incredibly important and positive traffic safety concept.
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