Coral Gables, FL 33134 Driving on Florida highways can be dangerous. Pogo is currently the longest resident at Sumter County Animal Services and needs a home. If youve ever felt road rage while driving in Florida, remember that it can be hazardous to not only you but also those around you. Please contact a Florida car accident attorney if you have additional questions or concerns. Before driving, there are steps that you can take so you and the drivers around you will not be tempted to engage in road rage and aggressive driving behavior. In a recent incident of road rage in Florida, two male drivers became angry with each other while driving. Its frustrating and, in some instances, dangerous. Particularly egregious driver actions, such as intentionally crashing into your car or running you into a barrier, a court might award punitive damages in addition to your compensatory damages. 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. Road rage is difficult to deal with you do not want to worry about your legal claim. Avoid any attempts to punish other drivers by, for example, slowing down in your lane to prevent other drivers from driving too fast. An experienced, can investigate your accident and determine the best possible course of action for your case. Note, the charges may escalate if the accused has prior records. You can get yourself hurt or killed. However, reckless driving, assault, and all unlawful actions that may result from road rage are crimes. Address: 5622 Central Avenue , St. Petersburg, Florida 33707, Copyright Jones Law Group. Copyright Michael T. Gibson, P.A., Auto Justice Attorney 2023 All Rights Reserved. Shore. Injury victims can recover compensation for their losses; however, the law requires claimants to abide by strict procedural and substantive laws. Where the line blurred is when a driving becomes frustrated and acts in an aggressive and dangerous manner due to the frustration. Below is some information about road rage and how it leads to accidents. Be sure that you do not sign any documents from an insurance agent or accept any offers of compensation before getting legal advice. Improper or dangerous passing; or 6. The Florida DMV has shared the story of Kierra Shore on their website. Obviously, there are instances of road rage, such as waiving or discharging a gun which are well beyond the concept which I am discussing. A man stepped out of his vehicle and turned his frustrations on another vehicle behind him. Remember, the freedom of speech protects your right to express yourself, even if it means flipping off the other driver. Speeding, honking, or flashing your headlights. Orlando, especially, can be unpredictable with so much ongoing road work combined with the high volume of tourists flocking onto the road. This law is designed to cut down on dangerous, aggressive driving and road rage incidents. You might drive safely and defensively, but you still cannot control other drivers emotions, reactions, and decisions. Exceeding the posted speed limit; 2. Sources: If you are at fault, the other party may take civil action against you, thus it is also a good idea to protect yourself. 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. By continuing to use our site, you are agreeing to our cookie privacy policy. Remain calm. Shore, in an effort to make her move over so that he could pass. This makes it easier to prove liability, so your attorney can focus on proving your damages. Law enforcement doesn't specifically keep track of road rage cases, but we looked at five years of data from . All Rights Reserved. You are guilty of a class 2 misdemeanor in Virginia. 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. 10065 Emerald Coast Pkwy Yes, road rage and aggressive driving cause more than half of all car accident fatalities. In 2013, Florida passed an anti-road rage law. Yes, road rage has often initiated physical fights between drivers, and in many cases, it has led to shootings. Actions that constitute road rage, include forcing another driver off the road, exiting your vehicle with intent to damage property or inflict injury, road harassment, dangerous maneuvers on the road such as braking Infront of another vehicle, tailgating, or nudging other vehicles, and other aggressive actions triggered by wrath. The unrepentant motorcyclist then threatened to kill the other driver, a teenager, with his knife. Adding a vehicle to the mix can result in a felony. Refrain from making rude gestures or prolonged eye contact with other drivers. But remember, the burden of proof is on you, so you must gather evidence. He then passed in the right hand lane and immediately pulled back in front of Ms. Aggressive careless driving means committing two or more of the following acts simultaneously or in succession: Exceeding the posted speed as defined in s. Unsafely or improperly changing lanes as defined in s. Following another vehicle too closely as defined in s. Failing to yield the right-of-way as defined in s. Violating traffic control and signal devices as defined in ss. 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. What does a criminal fine mean and who paid the largest criminal fine in US history? Failure to obey traffic control devices. Contact our office for a free consultation with an experienced Florida personal injury attorney by calling 877-448-8585. 3. For instance, news reports described a harrowing road rage accident that took the life of a pregnant woman. One driver followed the other one home. In 2013, Florida passed an anti-road rage law. Big Truck Wrecks, Why Are These Cases So Different? The grounds for being charged with vehicular assault are similar to that of reckless/aggressive driving in that the basis is causing injury to someone else while: Some states require that the injury sustained in the assault be serious in order to proceed with a vehicular assault charge. Often referred to as Florida's "Stand Your Ground" law, Florida Statute 776.012 says: "A person is justified in using or threatening to use force, except deadly force, against another when and to the extent that the person reasonably believes that such conduct is necessary to defend himself or herself or another against the other's . Most commonly, its another drivers actions on the road that might send you over the edge and lead to aggressive driving which can evolve to road rage. What Happens If the Driver Who Hit You Leaves the Scene of the Accident? Take a deep breath before you start cursing or getting aggravated or annoyed with the person driving next to you, in front of you or behind you. Orlando, Fla., came in third with 273 hashtags per . Keep in mind that every driver is a potential murderer. Often it is not the driver that is the target of your rage that was the start of the problem. Incidents of road rage usually start with feelings of high emotions before ever stepping foot into your car. Avoid disturbing the peace or blocking the highway. Whether you were a pedestrian, a bicyclist, or the occupant of car, motorcycle or boat and have been injured in an accident, you should immediately call an experienced personal injury attorney in St. Petersburg at Jones Law Group at (727) 571-1333 during regular business hours or (727) 753-8657 on weekends or after regular business hours. Aggressive driving is defined as driving while committing any two of the following offenses: 1. How Do I Fight Charges of Road Rage and Aggressive Driving in Florida? Road rage begins with poor mindsets. So much so that Florida drivers, and more particularly Miami drivers, received the dubious honor of being named the road rage capital of the U.S. for three years in a row. (2) Unsafely or improperly changing lanes as defined in s. 316.085. It is NOT a shooting. If you feel that bad drivers are all members of a particular community or subset, like teenagers, foreigners, or women, you are susceptible. The incident is causing huge traffic delays. Verbal road rage turns into a crime if one of the parties physically assaults the other or causes physical harm. After attempting to smash the driver's window with a screwdriver and breaking the driver's side rear-view mirror Saleh climbed on top the vehicle. Some examples of aggressive driving or road rage include the following: Pulling to the side of the road, getting out of the vehicle, and starting a confrontation with another driver. How Charges Related to Road Rage and Aggressive Driving Can Be Fought. Have You Suffered Injuries in a Florida Road Rage Accident. Moreover, nearly 35 percent of those accidents involve road rage or aggressive driving. Thats something you should never do. Using a weapon to inflict harm on another vehicle or driver. While the motorcyclist did not suffer injuries, he followed her to get information. The driver of the damaged vehicle made a complaint but did not wish to file a police report. Dont ever get out of your car or approach the other driver. Although there is a separate aggressive driving statute, there are no additional penalties for violating this law. Broadcast stations must credit BocaNewsNow.com on air. You dont want to speed but you would like to at least do the speed limit. Most states prosecute road rage incidents under reckless driving or aggressive driving statutes. If youre feeling stressed while driving, the following are some useful tactics that can help keep a level head: Always give yourself plenty of time to arrive at your destination, so you dont feel anxious and hurried on the way. 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. Anyone heading south to Miami, Miami International Airport, or other points south of the Golden Glades is being encouraged to find another route. An experienced criminal defense attorney will call on investigators and gather witness statements to build a defense for your case. While Florida authorities often distinguish between driver error and aggressive driving, many errors begin with an error and escalate into a rage. 2. 5. Today, it typically refers to aggressive driving including tailgating, sudden acceleration, cutting people off, sudden braking, blocking other drivers from merging into a lane, rude gestures, yelling at other drivers, pursuing other cars through traffic in order to engage in verbal or physical altercations, intentionally hitting other vehicles and other kinds of verbal or physical altercations with other drivers, excessive use of the horn or lights to scold or blind other drivers, and brandishing or using firearms or other deadly weapons. Florida has managed to get a reputation when it comes to road rage. Do not provoke another driver who is already driving aggressively. 561-576-NEWS. Establish liability: did the person commit the acts intentionally, or was it an accident? The right lawyer can help protect your rights to total compensation from the unlawful driver. An investigation is ongoing.. What are the Penalties for Road Rage and Aggressive Driving in Florida? Free Consultation - Call (954) 523-5333 - William Moore Law Firm aggressively represents the accused against charges in Criminal & Crime cases. Officers also recommend that you turn on your dashcam if you have one. 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. (5) improperly passing. In the past five years, at least 19 states have passed permitless carry laws, which grant people the right to carry loaded handguns in public, including in their vehicles, without a license or any formal training. The St. Petersburg, Clearwater and Tampa metropolitan area ranks as some of the most dangerous in the country. For a free case review, fill out an online contact form or call today. What should you do during a road rage incident? Legal representation is the first thing you can do to obtain the best outcome for your case. 50%of drivers who are on the receiving end of aggressive behavior respond with aggressive behavior back. 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. . If a driver caused you to feel road rage, they probably engaged in one of the following behaviors: Anyone can experience road rage. 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