Florida gets new DUI Legislation - Drunk Drivers Beware...
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Florida is getting tough on people charged with DUI. Governor Charlie Christ signed Florida House Bill 359, an act that raises the amount of financial responsibility required for persons guilty of DUI. This bill was supported by the Florida Justice Association (FJA) and Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) in an effort to improve public safety legislation.
The House Bill 359, a bi-partisan effort sponsored by Senator Dennis Jones (R-Seminole) and Representative Rick Kriseman (D-St. Petersburg), requires those with a history of driving under the influence to carry bodily injury (BI) coverage in the amount of $100,000/$300,000/$50,000 ($100,000 per person, $300,000 per incident and $50,000 in property damage).
According to NHTSA, The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, drunk driving accident related deaths nationwide were 25,052, out of 59,104 involved in fatal crashes, this represents 42 percent of the total for 2005. In Florida, the total was 3,543 traffic fatalities.
Celebrity DUI arrests and charges have been all over the news of late. A few known celebrities in the news regarding DUI include: Lindsay Lohan (car chase), Nicole Richie (driving the wrong way), Al Gore III (pills and speeding) Shemar Moore, formerly of the Young Restless. Thankfully these celebrities did not kill anyone while driving(some allegedly) driving under the influence. They just managed to shatter their stellar reputations and set a bad example for the people that look up to them. Such a bad example for society. Drinking driving is a serious issue, it would be nice to see these stars use their celebrity and fame to promote how important it is "not to drink and drive" while intoxicated. Hopefully they will learn from their mistakes and try to turn it into a positve.
Our very own Esther Uria LaBovick understands the prosecution of DUI criminals and the impact they make on society. While she was an Assistant State Attorney, working under Janet Reno, she was in a special program that prosecuted DUI drivers. She heard countless testimonies of people trying to justify why they should not be charged or sent to jail. Unfortunately, she also had to see the other side of the lives that were shattered because of the deaths that the drunk drivers caused.
Word to the wise: Drink and Drive Responsibly in Florida, or you will pay for it in addition to serving time. Spread the word: Do not drive while intoxicated. This message will help save lives.
The LaBovick Injury Law Blog is presented as a service of the Private Law Firm, LaBovick & LaBovick, P.A., Civil Justice Prosecutors.
