The incident is causing huge traffic delays. Often it is not the driver that is the target of your rage that was the start of the problem. If the driver acts willfully and with reckless disregard for the safety of others, the actions may result in jail or prison time, probation, fines, or in some cases license suspension. The easiest adjustment to make is to never drive in the left lane of traffic unless you are passing someone or are planning to exit or turn left within a mile or less. Seek an Experienced Criminal Attorney for Your Road Rage Case. Road rage is often a result of an incident that happened somewhere else and the frustration can influence how you behave while driving. Although there is a separate aggressive driving statute, there are no additional penalties for violating this law. MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, FL (BocaNewsNow.com) (Copyright 2023 MetroDesk Media, LLC) A possible road. If you or your loved one has been injured in a road rage accident, contact the attorneys at Brill & Rinaldi to schedule a consultation at one of our convenient Florida locations. Tragically, the woman died from her wounds. A driver stopped short and was hit by an angry driver that was tailgating them. Road rage becomes a crime (illegal) when either party engages in reckless aggressive driving, assaults the other or causes property damage. Do not challenge aggressive drivers; Sources: Avoid disturbing the peace or blocking the highway. Listen to traffic updates live every ten minutes on NewsRadio 610 WIOD listen to the live stream above. Road rage comes in various forms and can involve many different dangerous behaviors. However, studies show that the most common drivers to experience this are young males below the age of 19. Another real tragedy associated with instances of aggressive driving or road rage is that many times the injured party was not the aggressive driver or even the object of his rage, but nearby drivers unaware of what was transpiring or pedestrians or bicyclists who are completely unable to protect themselves from this type of situation. Incidents of road rage and aggressive driving can lead to serious felony charges that can ruin your life. Our site uses cookies. Nearly everyone is susceptible to aggressive driving and road rage, but studies have shown that young male drivers are the most likely to engage in road rage and aggressive driving. This will allow you to record the incident then use the footage to prove your case. Local road rage can be a serious problem for any driver, and we know that accidents and injuries can result from such reckless actions behind the wheel. Joe Zarzaur knows the ins and outs of Florida law, and offers friendly-quality legal help whether you have experienced an auto accident, car wreck, have been a victim of medical malpractice or are in need of a personal injury attorney. In the meanwhile, road rage incidents in Florida are quite common. Do not pull up next to another driver- intentionally yelling or making obscene gestures that would potentially cause the other to react violently. That is a felony thats punishable by up to 15 years in prison. With more than 100 years of combined legal experience representing clients against criminal charges, you can be sure that your case will be handled with care and diligence. The driver of the damaged vehicle made a complaint but did not wish to file a police report. If you find yourself in any of these situations, be careful how your actions influence your behavior while driving: Regardless of whether you find yourself in one of the above situations, it is important to practice courteous and safe driving. What should you do during a road rage incident? (1) Exceeding the posted speed as defined in s. 322.27 (3) (d)5.b. Road rage offenses, depending on the jurisdiction, include assault, reckless driving, disturbing the peace, and offenses listed under the public order act. 2420 S. Lakemont Avenue Suite 150 Orlando, FL 32814. Improper or dangerous passing; or 6. 4. Over seven years, 218 murders and 12,610 injuries were the results of road rage, according to Safe Motorist. Notify me of follow-up comments by email. For example, you could have been acting out of self-defense. Statistics from the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration report that 66% of traffic fatalities are caused by aggressive drivers, 37% of aggressive driving incident involve the use of guns, and 50% of drivers who are on the receiving end of an aggressive drivers behavior respond back with additional aggressive behavior. An argument with a spouse or significant other. If you are in the left lane, pay extra attention to your rear view mirror; and move over to the right lane if you see a vehicle approaching at a high rate of speed from behind. Section 46.2-868 Aggressive Driving Penalties states that an individual is guilty of aggressive driving if the person violates section 46.2.888 stopping on highways: removing the motor vehicle from the roadway., What is vital to remember is 46.2-868.1. reads in part, quote that person is a hazard to another person or commits an offense in clause (i) with the intent to harass, intimidate, injure or obstruct another person.. Consult with a lawyer to decide what to claim: you may file a suit to recover lost wages, medical costs, or pain and suffering caused by the incident. . Deliberately swerving toward another driver in your car can be aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, which is also a felony thats punishable by up to 5 years in prison. What law enforcement officers may need, includes the perpetrators physical description, car make, and other identifying information, the date and time of the incident, and the statement. However, reckless driving, assault, and all unlawful actions that may result from road rage are crimes. Forget winning any disagreement. A landlord in The Villages already facing nearly $4,000 in fines is blaming his tenants for the condition of his derelict properties. Impatience is a natural feeling under many circumstances, especially when a driver runs late and gets stuck behind a car going under the speed limit. Aggressive driving and road rage, in many instances blend together. He kicked and punched the grill of the SUV and police from the Hialeah Police Department were called to the scene. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.. BOCANEWSNOW.COM IS A REGISTERED TRADEMARK. In 2013, Florida passed an anti-road rage law. (4) Failing to yield the right-of-way as defined in s. 316.079, s. 316.0815, or s. 316.123. WFSU News. With all of the information out there, I still see drivers engaging one another in an aggressive manner on a regular basis. The law, which went into effect in 2009, forces drivers who have been found to be at fault in three crashes over a three-year period to take a driver's education course and pass a driving test, just as they did when they first obtained a driver's license. I would also like to see a law enacted that increases the penalty for any act of violence (murder, assault, etc) that happens because the perpetrator is having "road rage". 2022 Medical Records Retention Laws By State, How Long Does a Felony Stay on Your Record, Name and Likeness Licensing Agreement Free Builder. Consequently, a road rage incident may lead to both state and federal prosecution. Below is some information about road rage and how it leads to accidents. The driver in the front asks for $100,000 to cover the damages of the accident. Contact an experienced St. Petersburg personal injury attorney at Jones Law Group today. Remember that if you and your family have an accident that is road rage related and someone is injured, your best bet for compensation is to not have any fault in the accident. (3) Following another vehicle too closely as defined in s. 316.0895 (1). Thats something you should never do. Our skilled attorneys, paralegals, and support staff provide clients with individualized attention and excellent representation during all stages of a claim. While Florida authorities often distinguish between driver error and aggressive driving, many errors begin with an error and escalate into a rage. Driving on Florida highways can be dangerous. Although it sounds bizarre and "out of a movie script," cases of violence on the road are not as uncommon as we would like to think: August 2016: Gary Lynn Durham, who'd served an 11-year sentence for a road rage confrontation in 2001, experienced yet another clash on a Florida road. A man stepped out of his vehicle and turned his frustrations on another vehicle behind him. 2420 N. Crystal Lake Dr. #1-112, 777 S US Hwy 27 Suite E, 213 S Dillard St Suite 220 G, 3801 Avalon Park East Blvd. A man was apparently hit by a tractor-trailer. (855) Hire Joe Be sure to answer the questions of law officers to the best of your ability, but do not make any assumptions about what happened and never admit any fault, even if you feel like you might have been partially responsible for the accident. Consequently, as mentioned, most states prosecute road rage incidents under reckless driving and traffic offenses statutes. According to AutoVantages Road Rage Survey, Orlando and Miami were among the top ten cities in the country with the least courteous drivers in a recent year. Aggressive driving is defined as driving while committing any two of the following offenses: 1. The motorcyclist drew his handgun and shot at the woman multiple times. There are no charges in Florida for road rage per se, but acts of road rage can lead to felony charges of aggravated battery or assault with a deadly weapon. Content copyright 2023 Metro Desk Media, LLC. Big Truck Wrecks, Why Are These Cases So Different? "We have been opposed to the bill from the very beginning from the moment the press . It may also impact your insurance and license rights. An experienced personal injury attorney can investigate your accident and determine the best possible course of action for your case. Submitting a contact form, sending a text message, making a phone call, or leaving a voicemail does not create an attorney-client relationship. The Lady Lake Police Department wants to remind you there are some measures you can take to keep this from happening to you. For our intellectual property, terms, and conditions, read here. Incidents of road rage usually start with feelings of high emotions before ever stepping foot into your car. UPDATE: 7:31 a.m. All lanes are now open on I-95 southbound near 79th Street. Florida has managed to get a reputation when it comes to road rage. Law enforcement doesn't specifically keep track of road rage cases, but we looked at five years of data from . In 2012, Florida legislature passed a law that makes it illegal to drive more than 10 miles per hour under the speed limit in the left lane if another car is approaching. All Rights Reserved. The judge will award damages based on each party's contribution. Other drivers in our path are the most common cause of road rage in Florida. Yes, road rage has often initiated physical fights between drivers, and in many cases, it has led to shootings. Call 9-1-1 if you feel in any danger or an angry driver approaches your car. Contact news (at) bocanewsnow.com. When youre feeling this way, its a good idea to remember that arriving safe but a little late is better than being seriously injured or losing your life on the highway from an explosive road rage accident. The two most common causes of car accidents in Florida are negligence and distracted driving, but a third leading cause of accidents is road rage. Pensacola: (850) 444-9299 | Destin: (850) 424-3236, The Attorneys and Legal Team at Zarzaur Law, https://brandongaille.com/21-startling-road-rage-facts-and-statistics/, http://www.safemotorist.com/articles/road_rage.aspx. Exceeding the posted speed limit; 2. The primary difference between road rage and negligent or aggressive driving is that, with road rage, the perpetrator intends to harm someone. South Florida Personal Injury Lawyers Blog. One way to protect yourself from liability is to install a dashcam. to schedule a consultation at one of our convenient Florida locations. BocaNewsNow.com is a registered trademark of MetroDesk Media, LLC. You may take civil action against that person. today at (855) Hire-Joe for a free legal consultation. Arrest reports are police accusations. Its frustrating and, in some instances, dangerous. Report aggressive driving when seen; BLACK HISTORY MONTH TRAILBLAZER: Daniel Chappie James Jr. Pensacola Personal Injury Lawyers Car Accident, Wrongful Death, Malpractice. EMAIL NEWS(AT)BOCANEWSNOW.COM FOR REPUBLISHING QUESTIONS. However, anyone of any age or gender can lose their tempers behind the wheel and engage in aggressive driving. Florida State Statute 316.081 makes it a noncriminal traffic infraction, punishable as a moving violation for any driver to dawdle in the left lane proceeding at less than the normal speed of traffic and who doesn't get out of the way of approaching vehicles. Reducing aggressive driving also reduces preventable car related injuries and deaths. But if the person called you a name or flipped you off, there is not much you can do legally. If you feel threatened, you should call law enforcement before the incident escalates. What Can I Do to Prevent Feelings of Road Rage? Florida Laws(30) Fraud(5) Gun Laws(27) Hate Crimes(3) Holiday(9) Insurance(3) Juvenile Justice(24) Legal Rights(43) Marijuana(17) Pedestrian Accidents(5) The so-called "road rage" law makes it illegal for motorists to drive more than 10 miles below the speed limit in the left lane of a multiple-lane road or highway if another car is coming. A man stepped out of his vehicle and turned his frustrations on another vehicle behind him. Do not provoke another driver who is already driving aggressively. If you feel threatened or are worried about your safety call law enforcement. Not all states that allow people to keep loaded guns in their cars are permitless carry states. Get plenty of rest the night before driving a long distance. Refrain from making rude gestures or prolonged eye contact with other drivers. When you contact our office we will immediately set an appointment where you will meet your attorney and be provided with his/her personal contact information. 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