Florida\u2019s proposed new law was created in response to the hit-and-run death of a cyclist in February 2012. In that accident, an allegedly drunk driver hit a cyclist and then fled the scene. No one will ever know if the driver was drunk; he turned himself in after 24 hours and was sober at that time. As such, the driver received a 21-month jail sentence for leaving the scene (as opposed to a minimum sentence of four years for DUI manslaughter), his provable offense.<\/p>\n
The existence of a lesser sentence for leaving the scene of an accident incentivizes those like this driver to flee after causing harm, especially if they are under the influence of drugs or alcohol.<\/p>\n
If Florida is successful in drafting an applicable law, that incentive would be removed. Florida\u2019s proposed legislation would increase the minimum mandatory sentence for fleeing a scene to come close to the minimum punishment (more…)<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Florida\u2019s proposed new law was created in response to the hit-and-run death of a cyclist in February 2012. In that accident, an allegedly drunk driver hit a cyclist and then fled the scene. No one will ever know if the…<\/span><\/p>\n