We know accidents can be stressful and want to make the process as easy as possible for you. 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 doesnt get out of the way of approaching vehicles. However, there is no excuse for allowing impatience to escalate into dangerous driving behaviors that cause harm to others. 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. Pogo is currently the longest resident at Sumter County Animal Services and needs a home. info@zarzaurlaw.com, Destin 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. It is estimated that the vast majority of accidents are caused by driver error including aggressive driving and distracted driving. Verbal road rage turns into a crime if one of the parties physically assaults the other or causes physical harm. If youre not rushing, then the extra minute(s) that it takes to arrive at your destination thats caused by slow drivers or congested traffic wont be so bothersome. 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. 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. You pull over into the left lane to pass only to meet another driver in the left lane who is driving slower than the speed limit and holding traffic back. One Florida law is designed to remove poor drivers from the road. Road rage is a serious problem in Florida, and a persons fleeting rage can have long-term and potentially fatal consequences for other drivers, passengers, and bystanders. Not all states that allow people to keep loaded guns in their cars are permitless carry states. Tailgating; According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), over 90 percent of accidents involve driver error. The incident is causing huge traffic delays. Gov. The key to preventing yourself from aggressive driving or road rage is to be aware of your emotions. 2. Many times, road rage and aggressive driving is the result of pre-existing frustration and heightened emotions caused by some other event outside of driving. 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. Most states prosecute road rage incidents under reckless driving or aggressive driving statutes. For example, say a road rage incident turned into an auto accident. Many drivers also become easily frustrated with other drivers if they run late for work or another important engagement. Print must refer to BocaNewsNow.com. Can You Sue A Doctor For Failure To Diagnose? Villagers were among a group of Trump backers demonstrating at Gov. UPDATE: 7:31 a.m. All lanes are now open on I-95 southbound near 79th Street. Consequently, a road rage incident may lead to both state and federal prosecution. , as violent or aggressive behavior that stems from a drivers uncontrolled rage due to the actions of another driver. However, studies show that the most common drivers to experience this are young males below the age of 19. A Florida man is behind bars after police say he opened fire on another vehicle after a road rage incident that started when the victim allegedly threw a piece of a banana at the gunman's car. In Florida, road rage commonly refers to the anger a driver experiences when they experience stress or frustration while driving. Below is some information about road rage and how it leads to accidents. Yes, road rage has often initiated physical fights between drivers, and in many cases, it has led to shootings. Studies show that young males under 19 are the most likely drivers to experience road rage. Road rage often occurs because a driver is already dealing with stress- whether in their personal life or when running late. In 2013, Florida passed an anti-road rage law. 5622 Central Avenue He then tapped his brakes. What are the Penalties for Road Rage and Aggressive Driving in Florida? 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. In some regions, you may also recover damages for emotional distress. WORCESTER A 31-year-old city man driving on Highland Street with his wife and the couple's young child was fatally shot after dropping off his son at school in a "road rage" incident with another driver. Privacy Policy | Disclaimer. that leads to a charge of aggravated assault or battery, understand that you have options. Injury victims can recover compensation for their losses; however, the law requires claimants to abide by strict procedural and substantive laws. They report that Florida has the most road rage incidents, with 147 incidents, occurring between 2014 and 2016. Some drivers have the feeling that, As long as Im doing the speed limit, I have a right to be in the left lane and anyone who wants to pass me is speeding and needs to slow down. Thats a dangerous attitude to have. Contact an experienced St. Petersburg personal injury attorney at Jones Law Group today. Being angry on the road is not a criminal offense, a criminal offense occurs when you take that extra step. A man was apparently hit by a tractor-trailer. A Florida man was arrested after he allegedly opened fire during a road-rage shooting in June and authorities from Miami-Dade released chilling new dashcam footage of the incident. An assault with a dangerous weapon or motor vehicle by the passenger or driver(s) of one motor vehicle on the driver or passenger of another vehicle caused by an incident that occurred on the roadway. Have your doctor document your accident in your medical chart. An attorney can advocate for injury victims during insurance claims, settlement discussions, litigation, and appeals. Vital Records Explained. Under federal law 263.6 Speeding or reckless Driving, quote No person shall drive a motor vehicle on the site at a speed greater than or in a manner other than what is reasonable and prudent for the particular location, given the conditions of traffic, weather, and road surface and having regard to the actual and potential hazards existing.. MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, FL (BocaNewsNow.com) (Copyright 2023 MetroDesk Media, LLC) A possible road rage shooting has led to a complete closure of I-95 southbound in the area of 79th Street in Miami. Road rage is dangerous and can lead to serious situations because if you are going 10 under the speed limit and someone is trying to pass you, but cannot, they may react in an aggressive, dangerous manner that would cause you to be in an accident. This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. Related charges include assault, and disturbing the peace. If you are driving a vehicle and find yourself engaging in any of the following behaviors, you may be an aggressive driver: If you find yourself driving aggressively, you should immediately take steps to calm down and avoid causing further incidents, or worse yet, an accident, while driving. Many times, road rage and aggressive driving is the result of pre-existing frustration and heightened emotions caused by some other event outside of driving. The St. Petersburg, Clearwater and Tampa metropolitan area ranks as some of the most dangerous in the country. Injury victims can recover compensation for their losses; however, the law requires claimants to abide by strict procedural and substantive laws. Driving slowly in the left lane so you couldnt pass. A driver stopped short and was hit by an angry driver that was tailgating them. Do not pull up next to another driver- intentionally yelling or making obscene gestures that would potentially cause the other to react violently. Injuries from the accident lead to a lawsuit. These drivers who failed to maintain emotional control and drive within the law should be liable for the losses of anyone injured in a crash. 5622 Central Avenue , St. Petersburg, Florida 33707 Anyone heading south to Miami, Miami International Airport, or other points south of the Golden Glades is being encouraged to find another route. 50%of drivers who are on the receiving end of aggressive behavior respond with aggressive behavior back. Thats something you should never do. contact@jlgtampabay.com. This forced the driver another vehicle, already in the left lane, to slow down. The goal of this law is to reserve the left lane for faster cars, so that traffic flows smoothly and vehicles have no need to rapidly switch lanes left and right to pass. Please contact a Florida car accident attorney if you have additional questions or concerns. Are Bicycle Accidents Occurring More Often? If you or your loved one has been injured in a road rage accident, contact the attorneys at. Weve all been there; driving on a multi-lane roadway when traffic ahead slows. If you feel threatened, you should call law enforcement before the incident escalates. Where the line blurred is when a driving becomes frustrated and acts in an aggressive and dangerous manner due to the frustration. The driver in the front asks for $100,000 to cover the damages of the accident. Pensacola, FL 32502 Incidents of road rage usually start with feelings of high emotions before ever stepping foot into your car. For example, if youre running late for work or an appointment, youre already feeling on edge. When youre feeling this way and another driver cuts you off on the road, you might be tempted to act out in anger and frustration. Law enforcement wont wait for you to tell your side of the story before pressing charges. 561-576-NEWS. 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. Avoid using threatening gestures or following the other party. 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. However, reckless driving, assault, and all unlawful actions that may result from road rage are crimes. 5. An experienced personal injury attorney can investigate your accident and determine the best possible course of action for your case. A lot of people refer to the left lane as the fast lane but there is actually no such thing as a fast lane. There is however a passing lane and its the far left lane. The act is treated differently in accordance with the state wherein the act is committed. The motorcyclist and witnesses followed her and waited outside of her home, and called 911. (850) 696-1060 Fax To take civil action here is what you must do: Road rage is not a crime. Coral Gables, FL 33134 The entire episode was captured on a 911 recording. It sometimes takes days or even weeks for an injury to show symptoms. According to the Daytona Beach News-Journal, the law specifically targets drivers in the left lane of multiple-lane roadways who are going more than 10 mph below the posted speed limit and know or reasonably should know that they are being overtaken by a vehicle going faster. 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