What's Tampa Bay Saying?

Slow Drivers: Is Ticketing Them the Right Call?

The Florida House and Senate recently approved a measure that would make driving slow in the fast lane punishable by a fine. Do you think this is a good idea?

Can’t handle traveling at the Interstate’s 70 mph pace or a local four-lane road’s legal top speed? You might want to get in the practice of moving over. The Florida House and Senate recently approved a measure that makes it illegal to drive more than 10 mph under the speed limit if your vehicle is riding in the fast lane. The proposal will become the law of the land in Florida if Gov. Rick Scott signs on the dotted line. Dubbed the “road rage” bill, according to ABC News, the measure would give law enforcement the right to fine drivers $60 for moving at a snail’s pace in the far left lane of any road that has two or more lanes. That means slow drivers who refuse to move over – often causing other motorists to lose their cool – would be …

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Cristi

10:48 am on Thursday, May 16, 2013

James S. - True, and I don't have an issue with people staying in the left lane if they truly are passing, especially when there are only two lanes, but whenever possible "keep right except to pass" means precisely that. This simple rule should prevent accidents, road rage and traffic jams by slow drivers in the passing lane, and allow emergency vehicles to get where they need to go faster.   more ›

New Florida Laws Go Into Effect July 1

Among the new legislation are laws regarding school prayer, concealed weapons, disabled parking permits and sanctions for recruiting players for high school sports.

A number of new Florida laws, passed by the Legislature during the 2012 session, will go into effect July 1. Here's a sampling: Inspirational Messages in Public Schools Senate Bill 98 allows local school boards to set guidelines for students desiring to offer "inspirational messages," which could include prayer, at any school event. It was passed in the Senate by a 31-8 vote and the House by an 88-27 vote. Hunting, Fishing on Private Land House Bill 313 limits the liability of landowners who contract with the state to allow their private land to be used by the public for hunting, fishing and other recreational purposes. HB 313 unanimously passed in both the state Senate and House. Renewing Concealed Carry Permits House Bill 5601 reduces …

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Legal Corner

Alimony Laws Changing Again

The Florida Legislature continues to tinker with alimony laws.

Florida’s alimony laws (also called spousal support) are evolving at a very rapid pace. There are currently two bills pending before the Florida Legislature that will once again change how a court awards alimony, the amount awarded, and the duration of the payments. The House version, HB 549, has already passed, and the Senate version, SB 748, is making progress.  Whether good or bad, it appears to me that a majority of the changes are intended to protect the person paying alimony and make it harder for the person receiving alimony. Also, a majority of the changes are for long-term marriages (17 years or longer), and may not have an impact on shorter marriages. However, the Legislature appears to be trying to make alimony awards more …

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