A local state lawmaker is pushing anti-road rage legislation in Tallahassee.
Photo: FLSenate.gov
Senator Jeff Clemens, a Democrat and former Mayor of Lake Worth, thinks you should be required by law to move over if someone comes up behind you in the left lane along I95 or the Turnpike.
That's written in legislation that Clemens is introducing into the Florida legislature during the session that opens in March. He says incidents of road rage often occur when a fast driver pulls up behind a slow driver in the left lane, which is known as the lane for passing. Before long you have the driver in front slamming on his/her brakes, while the driver in back screams expletives.
Clemens believes his bill would change that, because if drivers are forced by law to move their vehicle to the right, a potential conflict will be avoided. He says drivers in the left lane shouldn't be forced to risk an accident by passing on the right.
He says if you're not passing somebody, you really shouldn't be in the left lane to begin with.
Our Newschannel 5 partners discovered Clemens received at least 15 traffic tickets and citations during an eight year period. Around half were dismissed, but he has paid fines for speeding, running a red light and not wearing a seat belt.
Clemens is open about his tickets, and says tries to learn from his mistakes and make it easier for everyone else to get where they're going through this bill.
He says former Governor Jeb Bush vetoed a similar bill back in 2006.
