In an effort to reduce drunk driving, which causes many car accidents, a Florida lawmaker has introduced legislation to increase the penalties for refusing to take a Breathalyzer test.
At present, a person who is suspected of impaired driving and refuses a breath, urine or blood test can have their driver’s license suspended for one year. State Sen. David Simmons, R-Altamonte Springs, has introduced a bill that would increase the penalties to six months probation, a fine of between $500 and $1,000, and the loss of four points on the offender’s driver’s license.
Under the proposed legislation, a second refusal would constitute a first-degree misdemeanor, with up to a year in prison and a $1,000 fine. The offender would also be subject to having an ignition lock put on their vehicle at their own expense. Under the bill, judges would not have the power to withhold or suspend the penalties.
A first-time DUI conviction can carry with it a fine of between $500 and $1,000 and a jail sentence of up to six months, though incarceration is rarely imposed in practice.
According to Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD), DUI arrests in Florida have fallen from a peak of 60,574 in 2002 to 2014’s total of 40,677. The number of deaths from alcohol-related car accidents has also continued a long-term decline, possibly as the result of increased awareness promoted by groups like MADD.
Florida statute allows for a driver to be charged with vehicular homicide if they were driving in a manner that was reckless and caused an accident that led to the death of another person. Depending on the circumstances of the crash, the penalties can differ. However, in most cases, vehicular homicide is a second-degree felony...
In Florida, vehicular homicide, sometimes charged as vehicular manslaughter, is a charge that happens when a person is acting in a manner that they know would put the safety of others at risk and that behavior leads to an accident that claims a life. Most of the time, vehicular homicide charges include allegations that the...
In 2017, Florida saw an alarming 402,385 auto accidents. This number averages out to be about 1,098 crashes per day. There was a total of 686,590 people injured in these accidents. Furthermore, 42.13% of these accidents resulted in an injury that needed medical attention and killed 3,116 people. Florida is one of the few states...
Boca News Now reported recently that a woman was killed in Boca Raton, FL on the evening of Saturday, February 20, 2021 in a tragic motor vehicle accident. According to officials with the Boca Raton Police Department, the incident took place on Saturday, February 20, 2021 between 8:55 p.m. and 9:05 p.m. Eastern Standard Time...

A Florida lawyer can prove fault in a car accident when the police report says otherwise. Police officers are trained in investigating car accidents and will prepare an official police report regarding the details of the accident in accordance with the Uniform Traffic Crash Report Manual. However, these police reports are not the only source...

Crashes happen every day and can lead to a plethora of injuries ranging from minor abrasions to severe injuries. One of the most common repercussions that arises from these incidents is lower back pain. If you’ve suffered from lower back pain as a result of a crash, you may be eligible to recover compensation for...

Navigating Miami’s busy streets requires more than just patience. With its growing population, expanding infrastructure, and a steady influx of tourists, Miami’s roads are often congested and unpredictable. Some intersections pose more risk than others, with places where crashes happen more frequently and where pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers are all vulnerable. In this guide, we’ll...

Google is investing a lot of time and money in auto-digital technologies, working toward making cars of the future a current-day reality. It has co-founded the Open Automotive Alliance (OAA), an industry group that includes car manufacturers working to integrate computer technologies (specifically Android) into automotive systems. Car-Based Software and the Open Automotive Alliance By...

According to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), car accident settlements are not generally taxable in Fort Lauderdale. However, there may be exceptions to this rule. For instance, depending on your situation, the financial recovery you gained from noneconomic losses may be taxable, since they are not observable damages. However, if emotional trauma, for example, did...

If your Uber driver gets into an accident in Florida, it is possible that they may be liable for your damages. Initially, we would seek compensation through your Florida no-fault insurance policy. However, if your damages exceed the $10,000 maximum coverage allowable under a Florida no-fault policy, we would then seek compensation from the at-fault...

Experiencing a hit and run can be both frightening and overwhelming. In the chaos that follows, it’s normal to feel uncertain about what steps to take next. Knowing how to report a hit and run in Fort Lauderdale is crucial for protecting your rights and ensuring that justice is served. Reporting the incident promptly not...

If a pedestrian caused an auto accident in South Florida that injured you or a loved one, your first step should be to call the police. The officers will investigate the crash and help you get medical attention at the scene. Then, it would help if you considered contacting a Fort Lauderdale car accident lawyer...