Jeeves Law Group

How to Keep Your Windshield Fog-Free

Jeeves Law Group — Wed, 14 Nov 2012 15:50:45 +0000

As it is getting cooler in Tampa Bay, we gain a few minor inconveniences in our morning commutes like window fog in our cars. Here are some quick tips to help you out!

Instructions

- 1
  
  Keep windows clean by wiping down the windows every two weeks with glass cleaner. Vapor from interior plastic forms a film inside the windows that dims visibility and attracts moisture.
- 2
  
  Cut down moisture by shaking water from your umbrella and knocking snow from your shoes before getting in your vehicle. With less moist air inside, there’s less work for the climate control system to do.
- 3
  
  Don’t recirculate air with the recirculation option on your climate control. By not allowing fresh air inside the car, the “old,” warm, moist air stays inside longer; when it hits a cool glass surface of your window, your windshield fogs.

Tips & Warnings

Open the driver’s side window a little. It won’t defog the windshield, but it will help pull dry air over the side window, which can be a help, especially if your car doesn’t have defrost vents for the side windows.

Source: http://www.ehow.com/how_6653_keep-windshield-fog.html

20 Tips On Driving

Jeeves Law Group — Mon, 22 Oct 2012 18:07:04 +0000

Here are twenty great tips to help you become a better driver

Hydroplaning
It’s been raining. As you drive through a patch of puddles, your steering wheel doesn’t respond. Your car is hydroplaning, a condition in which your tires begin to ride up on a film of water and lose contact with the road.

To avoid losing control of your car:

•	Ease your foot off the accelerator. This will slow down your vehicle and help you to maintain steering control.
•	Avoid turning sharply or sudden, hard braking, which may force your car into a skid.

Before you drive:
Remember that mixing high speeds, worn (or underinflated) tires, and lots of water is the perfect recipe for hydroplaning. Check your tires today. But even with good treads, hydroplaning may occur when water is deeper than the tread depth.

Bad-Weather Braking
You’re travelling down a road that is dotted with snow and patches of ice, on a blustery winter night. Suddenly the car in front of you begins to fishtail and lose control.Drivers with anti-lock brakes should:

•

Apply brakes fully, maintain pressure, and attempt to steer around the car. By applying brakes fully you will activate the anti-lock braking system, which modulates the brakes for you. This will slow down your vehicle and allow you to maintain steering control. Don’t pump the brakes. Pumping anti-lock brakes reduces their effectiveness.

Drivers without anti-lock brakes should:

•	Apply brakes firmly but short of wheel lockup. Try to keep the heel of your foot on the floor, and use the upper part of your foot to apply a firm and steady pressure on the brake pedal to avoid wheel lockup.

Highway Hint
No matter what kind of brakes you have, always leave enough room between you and the car in front of you. And always reduce speed in adverse weather and poor road conditions.

Guardrail
You are travelling at highway speed in the left lane of the expressway. Traffic is heavy. There is no shoulder on the left, and the highway is separated merely by a guardrail. Suddenly the car to your right makes a lane change into your lane, striking your car and forcing you into the guardrail.To minimize damage to your car and your risk of serious injury:

•	Do not slam on your brakes. Maintain a firm grip on the steering wheel, and apply brakes firmly but not to a point of lockup. Then gradually steer away from the guardrail and come to a stop once traffic behind you has reacted to your predicament.

Highway Hint
Once you have regained control, bring the car to a stop next to the guardrail. Do not attempt to cross lanes of heavy traffic.

Sharing the Road with Trucks
No one wants to meet a truck by accident. But get closer than 200 feet behind a truck, and you may be saying hello to a trucker’s blind spot.When following a truck:

•	Make sure you are far enough behind the truck so the driver can see you in the side mirrors. If you can’t see the truck’s mirrors, chances are the driver can’t see you. Following a truck too closely also impairs your own vision of the road ahead.

To pass a truck:

•	First check for a “no passing zone” marking or sign. Check your mirrors, and signal your intention to move when it is safe to do so.
•	Complete your pass as quickly as possible. Signal your intention to move back in front of the truck in your rearview mirror.

Highway Hint
On a level highway, it takes 3 to 5 seconds longer to pass a truck than a car.

Drunk Drivers
You are travelling down a highway at 2:30 in the morning at the speed limit. In your rearview mirror you see a vehicle approaching. You notice the vehicle is swerving slightly and alternately speeding up and slowing down. You assume the driver is under the influence of alcohol. What is the best method to avoid the drunk driver?To avoid the drunk driver:

•	Signal, then make a right turn onto another roadway or driveway. If you are on a long stretch of open highway, continue on until you can turn off and let the other car pull ahead. If you merely move onto the shoulder, you could risk being hit because drunk drivers have a tendency to focus on taillights.
•	As the car passes, try to get a license plate number and a description of the vehicle. Then notify the police.

Highway Hint
Remember: If you plan to drink alcoholic beverages, make arrangements in advance for a non-drinking “designated driver” or take a taxi.

Child Safety Seats
Child safety seats are required by law in all 50 states for good reason. Motor vehicle accidents are the number-one killer of children under the age of 5 in the United States.To help ensure your child’s safety:

•

Choose — and use — the proper type of safety seat for your child. There are rear-facing seats for infants, convertible seats for infants and toddlers, and booster seats for older children who aren’t quite big enough to use a safety belt. A word of caution: For cars with a passenger-side air bag, a rear-facing safety seat must never be placed in the front seat. It should always be in the back seat. Check your owner’s manual for complete details on how to secure the child safety seat in your vehicle.

Before you drive:
Make sure you follow the manufacturer’s instructions for installation and that you’re using the child safety seat properly.

Emergency Vehicles
You’re travelling along in the left lane of a four-lane, undivided city street in bumper-to-bumper traffic. As you slowly creep along, you hear a siren. A check of your rearview mirror reveals a quickly approaching fire engine. Traffic has completely blocked the right-hand lane.To help the emergency vehicle get to its destination:

•	Stay where you are if traffic is too blocked to move into the right lane. Do not move to your left and into oncoming traffic lanes. You risk a head-on collision and could also interfere with the path of the emergency vehicle.

Highway Hint
Emergency vehicles have the right to move into oncoming lanes to circumvent traffic. Remember: Emergency vehicles have sirens and lights to warn motorists out of their path: you do not!

Following Too Close
You’re travelling down a busy two-lane street. There is a car in front of you, and traffic is heavy in the oncoming lane. As you approach an intersection, an oncoming car suddenly makes an unsignaled left-hand turn in front of the car ahead of you. The car in front of you slams on the brakes. You hit your brakes hard, but it is too late. Your car rams into the back of the vehicle you were following. What could you have done to avoid this collision?To avoid such a crash:

•

Allow plenty of distance between your vehicle and the one ahead. Space allows you time to stop safely if the other driver suddenly brakes. A good rule of thumb: With good visibility, dry pavement, and a safe alternate path of travel, allow at least a two-second interval between your car and the one ahead of you. Better yet, allow three seconds.

Highway Hints
You can measure your following distance in this manner:
A. Pick out something up ahead, such as a light post.
B. When the rear of the vehicle ahead of you passes that point, begin to count “One thousand one, one thousand two, one thousand three…”
C. If the front of your vehicle reaches the light post before “one thousand three,” you’re following too closely.

Railroad Crossing
As you drive down a country road, you see a sign indicating there are railroad tracks ahead. There are no gates down or flashing red warning lights to indicate a train is coming.To proceed safely:

•

Stop, look, listen — and live. Less than one-third of all public highway rail grade crossings have flashing lights or gates to warn motorists a train is approaching. At all crossings, it’s your responsibility to slow down or stop if necessary. A train always has the right-of-way since it might take a train a mile and a half to stop.

Highway Hint
Never try to beat a train across tracks or go around lowered warning gates. It’s difficult to judge a train’s speed accurately.

Right-Hand Rule
Travelling down a busy street, you notice the traffic light at a mildly busy intersection isn’t working. You approach the intersection at the same time as a car on your right from the intersecting street.To get through the intersection safely:

•	Treat the intersection as if it were a four-way stop. Yield the right-of-way to the car on the right on the intersecting street.

Highway Hint
When in doubt at an intersection, remember the right-hand rule, which says the car to your right has the right-of-way.

Flash Flood
You’re driving in a light rain, when the skies suddenly darken and the light rain turns into a torrential downpour. You notice the water on the roadway is getting deeper by the second. In an instant, you notice there is water rising around the car.Your best course of action:

•	Pull over slowly and stop. Never try to drive through pools of water on the road. They may be deeper than they appear.

Highway Hint
If the water is rising, get out of the car and seek higher ground. Most cars will float for a short period, but they can quickly and easily be swept away by rising flood waters — with you trapped inside.

Motorcycles
All too often motorists aren’t aware of the motorcycles on the highway. In fact, failure to detect and recognize motorcycles in traffic is the main cause of motorcycle accidents with other vehicles.If you ride a motorcycle:

•	Always keep your headlights on — even during the day. It will help make you more visible. Twenty-two states require motorcyclists to operate their cycles with their headlights on during the day.

If you drive a car:

•	Remember to share the road. Keep a lookout for motorcycles. A motorcycle’s small size makes it more difficult to spot in traffic, so motorists must aggressively and consciously look for motorcycles in changing traffic conditions.

Highway Hint
If you’re behind a motorcycle, follow at the same interval that you would for a car — at least two seconds, better yet, three seconds on dry pavement.

Avoiding Collisions
Bad weather, mechanical failure of a vehicle, and poorly maintained roadways — all may contribute to collisions. But do you know the number-one cause of auto collisions?

•

More collisions can be attributed to driver error than any other factor. Driver error includes many factors, such as improper lookout, excessive speed, improper evasive action, internal distractions, and driver inattention or distraction. The tragedy is that nearly all collisions caused by driver error could have been prevented.

Highway Hints
To keep driver error at a minimum:

•	Avoid taking your eyes off the road to adjust your radio or air-conditioning/heating, or to talk to passengers.
•	Pull onto the shoulder if you need to check a road map.
•	Remain at a safe distance from the car in front of you, and allow plenty of room for changing lanes.

Air Bags
Air bags supplement safety belts and are designed to inflate in moderate and severe frontal or near frontal collisions. When used in combination with safety belts, air bags further reduce the risk of fatality in frontal or near frontal crashes.Air bags do not deploy when:

•	You are rear-ended by another car, or hit in the side.
•	You misjudge your stopping distance and run into a stopped car at up to 10 to 15 mph.

Highway Hint
Remember that it’s crucial to always wear a safety belt, even if your car is equipped with an air bag. Safety belts provide the maximum protection in all types of crashes, not just head-on crashes. All states have laws requiring the use of child restraints. Forty-two states and the District of Columbia have laws to “Buckle Up.”

School Bus Safety
Travelling on a four-lane undivided road, you see a school bus approaching from the opposite direction. As you get a bit closer, you notice it is stopped and its red lights are flashing.To obey the law and make sure that school children remain safe:

•	Come to a stop and wait to move until the lights stop flashing or the bus is moving. On an undivided highway this is true no matter what side of the road the bus is on. Remember: There may be children you can’t see getting off the bus and walking around the blind side of the bus.

Highway Hint
If you are on a divided road, you still must stop if the bus is on your side of the road. It’s not necessary to stop if the school bus is across the median in the opposite lanes. However, you should still be careful because there are children around.

Left-Hand Turns
You’re pulling out of a business driveway and want to make a left turn onto a busy street. The road has a special center lane designed for making turns.To ensure center-lane safety:

•	After the traffic clears in the lanes nearest you, enter the center lane — and wait for traffic to clear in the far lane. Once you are in the center lane, turn on your right — hand turn signal.
•	Do not drive in the “shared left-turn lane.” It is neither legal nor safe.

Highway Hint
As you merge, watch out for vehicles entering the special turning lane in front of you as well as behind you.

Using Your Turn Signal
Always use your turn signal when changing lanes — even if you’re in the RIGHT TURN ONLY lane and you think it should be obvious that your intention is to turn.When you use your signal every time you change lanes:

•	Your intentions will be clear to everyone. This includes pedestrians as well as motorists.
•	You’ll keep the law on your side. Failing to signal is a ticketable offense.

Highway Hint
Most states require the driver to signal at least 100 feet prior to any change in direction.

Drifting onto the Right Shoulder
As you travel down a two-lane highway in the country, your right wheels drop off onto the unpaved shoulder of the road.To correct this situation:

•	If the level of the shoulder is only slightly below the pavement, recovery is fairly easy. Hold the steering wheel firmly and ease off the accelerator. If there is nothing in the way, steer so that your vehicle straddles the edge of the pavement.
•	Do not turn the steering wheel sharply. You can turn the steering wheel up to a one-quarter turn until the front tire is back on the pavement. Then continue straight down the road.

Highway Hint
If your tires scrub against the side of the pavement, do not steer more sharply. Instead, ease off the accelerator, holding the steering wheel firmly, and straddle the pavement once more. Then repeat the procedure as stated before.

Recognizing Risks
Children playing, cars pulling away from the curb, cross-street traffic, someone getting out of a parked car, animals at the side of the road — each of these everyday events can spell disaster for the driver who fails to look well beyond the immediate field of vision.To get the “big picture” on the roadway:

•	Scan the road ahead from shoulder to shoulder. Get the big picture. Search the road — and roadside — at least 12 seconds ahead. Think of this as your “visual lead time,” which will allow you time and space to make decisions and control your vehicle.

Highway Hint
At higher speeds, it’s especially important to get the big picture. As speed increases, your eyes focus more on what’s directly in front of you and less on what is to your sides.

Head-On Collision
You’re driving down a two-lane highway at 55 mph. In the distance, you see a car approaching in your lane at a high rate of speed. You frantically honk your horn, but the car continues to move toward you in your lane. You think the driver might be asleep or drunk.To avoid a head-on collision:

•	Move to the right. If you move to the left, the head-on collision you were hoping to avoid may still happen. If the oncoming driver recovers, he may instinctively swerve back into his proper lane.
•	Reduce your speed and wait as long as you can to pull out of your lane. Pull as far to the right as possible; if need be, drive completely off the road.

Highway Hint
Driving off the road isn’t without risk: There is a possibility you may be injured. However, it’s almost always better than a head-on collision. If you have to hit something, aim for something relatively soft, such as shrubbery.

Source: http://www.firsteagle.com/tod.htm

Texas Man Hit by Car When 911 Calls Go Unanswered

Jeeves Law Group — Fri, 14 Sep 2012 15:15:12 +0000

Texas Man Hit by Car When 911 Calls Go Unanswered

After what he said were four attempts to reach a 911 operator after a car had hit his vehicle on a Texas road, Kelvin Crowe of Dallas gave up, got out of his car and was hit by a passing vehicle as he tried to flag down help.

“The first three calls, the line was busy,” Crowe told ABC’s Dallas-Fort Worth affiliate WFAA Wednesday. On the fourth call, “the automated machine said, ‘All other operators are busy assisting other callers,” Crowe told the TV station. “It said, ‘Hold for the next available operator.’ I held for maybe a minute. It made a funny sound, so we hung up.”

It all started late last Saturday night when Crowe’s tire blew out. Still in his car, he was making his way to the shoulder of the road when another vehicle hit his car from behind, according to the affiliate report.

Crowe’s fiancee was injured in the crash, and he called 911, using her cell phone. Calls were made at 11:48, 11:49, 11:54 and 11:58, according to WFAA, but never got through to the 911 call center.

Crowe exited his vehicle and tried to get help from the road.

But another car hit him, and he ended up in the hospital. “I just heard the tire screeching and then, ‘Bam!’” Crowe said. “I just kept saying, ‘Lord, please don’t take me. I got kids depending on me. Don’t take me … don’t take me.”

Crowe had broken his arm, bruised his leg badly – and his right eye needed stitches.

“Maybe if we’d have gotten a response, or if police would have answered, then I would have just stayed in the truck a little longer,” Crowe said. “That way I wouldn’t have walked back down there and it would have been avoided.”

But the city of Dallas said it’s not at fault.

“The city of Dallas conducted a review of the calls during the time period of this incident,” read a statement from city hall. “At this time, we cannot find any indication that the Dallas 911 call center received a call from Mr. Crowe’s cell number.”

“It went into the antenna, but it didn’t come to us,” Dallas Mayor Mike Rawlings told WFAA. “We’ve got proof it didn’t show up at 911. … The call got into T-Mobile’s antenna, and it didn’t get to us. It wasn’t sent appropriately. One of those things that just didn’t hit up.”

In a statement, the city of Dallas said the call center had received other calls at about the same time as Crowe’s, and that it was not at capacity.

A Dallas Police Department lieutenant who oversees the call center visited Crowe in the hospital Tuesday to get a firsthand account, a city spokesman told WFAA.

“Cell phones can be extremely valuable in emergency situations. However, cell phone users should always be aware of the limitations in cell phone technology in relationship with 911 systems,” read the city of Dallas’ statement.

Click It or Ticket!

Jeeves Law Group — Fri, 31 Aug 2012 14:50:11 +0000

In a car crash you are much more likely to be killed if you are not wearing a seat belt. That is why Florida has seat belt laws. The law states that the front seat passengers must wear seat belts. This law applies to any car manufactured since 1968. in addition, all passengers under 18 years old must wear a seat belt or be otherwise restrained by a child car seat. It is against the law to operate a vehicle if all the passengers do not meet these standards.

The cost for a seatbelt violation is $30. Below is a summary of the Florida seat belt law. For a child that is not properly restrained the violation is $60.

Summary of Mandatory Seat Belt Laws

Seat belt laws apply to all cars, pickup trucks, and vans operated on Florida roads.

All passengers in the front seat must wear a seat belt.

All passengers under 18 must wear a seat belt

Florida Child Restraint Requirements

Children 3 and younger must be secured in a federally approved child-restraint seat.

Children 4 through 5 must be secured by either a federally approved child restraint seat or safety belt.

The Driver is responsible for buckling up the child.

Why is it Important to Wear a Safety Belt?

Seat belts protect you from being thrown from a vehicle. If you are thrown from a vehicle your risk of death is five times greater.

By securing you in your seat, a seat belt protects you from being thrown into other people in the car and parts of your car. In addition, seat belts keep the driver in their seat so they can control the car.

Always Wear your Safety Belt

The Florida safety belt laws apply at all times. Regardless if you are on a short trip in your neighborhood or driving hundreds of miles on the turnpike – always wear your seat belt.

Full details of the Florida Safety Belt law can be found in the Florida drivers manual.

Woman plows through children in Lake Wales

Jeeves Law Group — Wed, 29 Aug 2012 14:31:22 +0000

LAKE WALES — A Lake Wales woman’s vehicle plowed through a group of students at McLaughlin Middle School on Thursday afternoon, according to investigators. According to Lake Wales Police, the car pickup area for the school was full of students walking to their rides home or gathered waiting for their ride to show up around 3:40 p.m. Investigators said Dilma Guideldefiguera, 50, Lake Wales, had just picked up her two children at the school when she accelerated forward, lost control of her vehicle, drove over the pickup area curb and crossed a sidewalk. The vehicle hit a bench with at least two students on it, investigators said, and the vehicle continued forward striking two other students before hitting a brick wall. Five children were taken to Lake Wales Regional Medical Center with non-life-threatening injuries. Guideldefiguera and another child did not require medical attention. None of the children involved were identified. She was issued a citation for careless driving and her black 1998 Nissan Altima was towed from the scene. “With school back in session, this is a reminder for all motor vehicle operators to use extreme care when driving near school bus stops, school zones and school property,” the department said in a statement.

So You’re Having a Hurricane Party?

Jeeves Law Group — Mon, 27 Aug 2012 16:44:07 +0000

Think of these things before you and your friends/relatives/coworkers/colleagues indulge in this day off from school and work.

Driving with an unlawful alcohol level (DUBAL) – (.08)

Immediate License Suspension

You will be suspended as of the arrest date for 6 months for the first offense and one year for any other offense of DUBAL. You will be given a 10-day permit on the date of the arrest. Once the permit has expired, then 30 days of the suspension must be served before the driver is eligible to apply for a hardship license. You will be eligible for a hardship license on the first and any consecutive suspension, unless you have been convicted of DUI two or more times. You must provide proof of enrollment in a DUI School to the Administrative Reviews Office for consideration for a hardship license. If given approval to reinstate early for hardship, you must present this approval to the driver license office. At the time of reinstatement, whether for a hardship license or a full license, you must take the required examination, and pay $115 administrative fee and $35 reinstatement fee and any license fee required. Proof of liability insurance on the arrest date will be required or proof of liability coverage and a $15 reinstatement fee will be required.

Refusals

If you refuse to submit to a breath/urine test your license will be suspended as of the arrest date for one year for the first offense and 18 months for any consecutive offenses. You will be given a 10-day permit on the date of arrest and when the permit expires must serve 90 days of the suspension before the driver is eligible to apply for a hardship license on the first suspension. No hardship license is permitted if you have refused to submit two or more times. You must provide proof of enrollment in a DUI School to the Administrative Reviews Office for consideration for a hardship license. If given approval to reinstate early for hardship, you must present this approval to the driver license office .

At the time of reinstatement, whether for a hardship license or a full license, you must take the required examination, and pay $115 administrative fee and $35 reinstatement fee and any license fee required. Proof of liability insurance on the arrest date will be required or proof of liability coverage and a $15 reinstatement fee will be required.

Penalties

1st DUI – 180 day to 1 year revocation effective on conviction date. Before expiration of the revocation period, you may apply for a hardship license in the county where you live. DUI School completion and treatment, if referred, is required. You then can apply for a hardship license in any Administrative Reviews Office (see listing “Under Suspension – Need Driver License for Work”) where you live. If you wait to reinstate your license until your revocation period ends, proof of enrollment or completion of DUI School and treatment, if referred, is required. At the time of reinstatement, whether for a hardship license or a full license, you must take the required examination, and pay $115 administrative fee and $60 reinstatement fee and any license fee required. Proof of liability insurance on the arrest date will be required or proof of liability coverage and a $15 reinstatement fee will be required
2nd DUI conviction in more than 5 years will result in a 180 day to 1 year revocation. You cannot reinstate early for hardship. The full revocation period must be served before requesting driver license reinstatement. The second DUI conviction within a five-year period will result in a five-year revocation. You may apply for a hardship license at the Administrative Reviews Office after serving one year from effective date of revocation. DUI School, and treatment, if referred, must be completed and you must have a favorable recommendation from the Special Supervision Services Program to be eligible for a hardship license. If given approval to reinstate early for hardship, you must present this approval to the driver license office. You must remain in the Special Supervision Services Program for the duration of the revocation period to retain your hardship license. If you wait to reinstate until after your revocation period ends, proof of enrollment or completion of DUI School, and treatment, if referred, is required. At the time of reinstatement, whether for a hardship license or a full license, you must take the required examination, and pay $115 administrative fee and $60 reinstatement fee and any license fee required. Proof of liability insurance on the arrest date will be required or proof of liability coverage and a $15 reinstatement fee will be required.

Ignition Interlock Device

Florida Statutes, requires ignition interlock devices to be installed on the vehicles of certain persons convicted of DUI. The ignition interlock program affects those arrested and convicted of DUI after July 1, 2002, upon eligibility of reinstatement for a permanent or restricted driver license. The ignition interlock device is also required when a driver convicted of DUI applies for a restricted license for work or business purposes. Two ignition interlock vendors (see other side) were selected by the department. If the person is otherwise eligible, a driver license will be issued with a â??Pâ? restriction indicating interlock device is required. The required time period for interlock officially begins on the day the “P” interlock restriction is issued. Costs to the Defendant The cost (plus tax) to the convicted person for an ignition interlock device is: $70 for installation $67.50 for monthly monitoring and calibration $100 refundable deposit or a $5 monthly insurance charge
——————————————————————————–

Driving Under the Influence Of Drugs

DUI (Driving Under the Influence of Alcoholic Beverages, Chemical Substances or Controlled Substances). s. 316.193, F.S. Under Florida law, DUI is one offense, proved by impairment of normal faculties or unlawful blood alcohol or breath alcohol level of .08 or above. The penalties upon conviction are the same, regardless of the manner in which the offense is proven.

Fine Schedule For DUI:

First Conviction:

Not less than $250, or more than $500.
With Blood/Breath Alcohol Level (BAL) of .20 or higher or minor in the vehicle: Not less than $500, or more than $1,000.
Second Conviction:

Not less than $500, or more than $1,000.
With BAL of .20 or higher or minor in the vehicle: Not less than $1,000, or more than $2,000.
Community Service

First Conviction:

Mandatory 50 hours of community service or additional fine of $10 for each hour of community service required.
Probation:

First conviction:

Total period of probation and incarceration may not exceed 1 year.
Imprisonment:

At court’s discretion, sentencing terms may be served in a residential alcoholism or drug abuse treatment program, credited toward term of imprisonment.

First Conviction:

Not more than 6 months.
With BAL of .20 or higher or minor in the vehicle: Not more than 9 months.
Second Conviction:

Not more than 9 months.
With BAL of .20 or higher or minor in the vehicle: Not more than 12 months.
If second conviction within 5 years, mandatory imprisonment of at least 10 days. At least 48 hours of confinement must be consecutive.
Impoundment or Immobilization: Unless the family of the defendant has no other transportation

First conviction = 10 days;
Second conviction within 5 years = 30 days;
Third conviction within 10 years = 90 days
Impoundment or immobilization must not occur concurrently with incarceration. The court may dismiss the order of impoundment of any vehicles that are owned by the defendant if they are operated solely by the employees of the defendant or any business owned by the defendant.

Conditions for Release of Persons Arrested for DUI

The person is no longer under the influence and;
The person’s normal faculties are no longer impaired
The person’s blood/breath alcohol level is lower than 0.05; or
Eight hours have elapsed from the time the person was arrested.
DUI Misdemeanor Conviction: Accident Involving Property Damage or Personal Injury

Any person who causes property damage or personal injury to another while driving under the influence is guilty of a First Degree Misdemeanor (not more than $1,000 fine or 1-year imprisonment).

DUI Felony Conviction: Repeat Offenders or Accidents Involving Serious Bodily Injury

Any person convicted of a third DUI within 10 years or a fourth or subsequent DUI commits a Third Degree Felony (not more than $5,000 fine and/or 5 years imprisonment). Any person who causes serious bodily injury while driving under the influence is guilty of a Third Degree Felony (not more than $5,000 fine and/or 5 years imprisonment) or if habitual/violent felony offender.

Driver License Revocation Periods for DUI:

First Conviction: Minimum 180 days revocation, maximum 1 year.
Second Conviction Within 5 Years: Minimum 5 years revocation. May be eligible for hardship reinstatement after 1 year. Other 2nd offenders same as “A” above.
Third Conviction Within 10 Years: Minimum 10 years revocation. May be eligible for hardship reinstatement after 2 years. Other 3rd offenders same as “A” above; one conviction more than 10 years prior and one within 5 years, same as “B” above.
Fourth Conviction, Regardless of When Prior Convictions Occurred) and Murder with Motor Vehicle: Mandatory permanent revocation. No hardship reinstatement.

Commercial Motor Vehicles (CMV) â?? Alcohol-Related Convictions or Disqualifications:

Persons convicted of driving a commercial motor vehicle with a blood alcohol level of .04 or above or refusing to submit to a test to determine the alcohol concentration while driving a commercial motor vehicle, driving a commercial motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or controlled substance, or driving a commercial motor vehicle while in possession of a controlled substance shall be disqualified from operating a commercial motor vehicle for a period of 1 year. Second or subsequent conviction of any of the above offenses arising out of separate incidents will result in a permanent disqualification from operating a commercial motor vehicle. There are no provisions for persons disqualified from operating a commercial motor vehicle to obtain a hardship (business or employment) license to operate a commercial motor vehicle.

DUI School Requirements:

First Conviction: Must complete DUI school before hardship reinstatement. Customers who wait out revocation period before reinstatement need only show proof of enrollment or completion to become re-licensed. If customer enrolls and is reinstated after revocation period expires, failure to complete the DUI school within 90 days after reinstatement will result in license cancellation; the driver cannot then be re-licensed until DUI school is completed.
Second Conviction in 5 Years (5-Year Revocation) or Third Conviction in 10 Years (10-Year Revocation): Customer must complete DUI school following conviction.

Office Releases Final Actuarial Study on Indicated Savings from HB 11

Jeeves Law Group — Fri, 24 Aug 2012 13:22:23 +0000

Tuesday, August 21, 2012

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – The Florida Office of Insurance Regulation today released an actuarial report written by Pinnacle Actuarial Resources, Inc. (Pinnacle) that calculates indicated savings to be realized by insurers writing Personal Injury Protection (PIP) auto insurance in Florida. The indicated savings is based on a market analysis of HB 119 – Motor Vehicle Personal Injury Protection Insurance, passed during the 2012 legislative session. The majority of the provisions of HB 119 take effect January 1, 2013.

The Legislation appropriated $200,000 for the Office to select a contractor and perform this analysis. After receiving three bids, the Office announced that it selected Pinnacle for a contract of $150,000 on June 12, 2012.

Although readers may focus on the overall indicated savings mentioned on pages four and five of the executive summary, it is important to note five important caveats to this indicated savings:

Ø The savings is on the premium indications – not the actual premiums

Ø The indicated savings is only on the PIP portion of the premium, which is roughly 20% of the average auto insurance bill

Ø The indicated savings may actually mitigate premium increases, not reduce premiums

Ø The indicated savings will not be realized until January 1, 2013 – at the earliest

Ø Insurers do not have to accept the indicated savings calculated by Pinnacle

This report was due to the Governor and Legislature on September 15, 2012; however, the Office is releasing it early to allow companies time to consider these findings prior to making their PIP filings on October 1, 2012 as required by HB 119.

About the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation
The Florida Office of Insurance Regulation has primary responsibility for regulation, compliance and enforcement of statutes related to the business of insurance and the monitoring of industry markets. For more information about the Office, please visit www.floir.com or follow us on Twitter @FLOIR_comm.

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Bad Weather Driving Tips

Jeeves Law Group — Wed, 22 Aug 2012 16:22:53 +0000

Dealing With the Elements

The term “joy ride” does not apply when it’s pouring and the wind is gusting. The best strategy for driving in bad weather is to avoid it. But if going out is necessary or you get caught in bad conditions once you’re already on the road, follow these safe driving tips:

Make sure your headlights are on. Many states require drivers to keep their headlights on if windshield wipers are on.
Increase your following distance — if you’re going slowly because of bad weather, is there really a point to being only 2 feet behind the car in front of you?
Slow down. Braking takes longer on slippery roads — the slower you go, the easier it will be for you to maintain control and stop your vehicle.
Make sure your car is prepared for the conditions (check your battery, antifreeze, windshield wiper fluid, windshield wipers, headlights, tires).

Use caution near intersections. Never assume that because you have the green light or the right of way that the intersection will be clear — always scan ahead to spot potential hazards.
Stay in one lane as much as possible — avoid unnecessary lane changes (don’t go zipping in and out of traffic, passing people, etc.).
Keep two hands on the wheel and two eyes on the road at all times.

Rainy Roads

Roads are dirty places. Between tires stirring up gravel and engines dripping oil and other fluids, a lot of oily and slick substances build up on roads. That’s why roads are at their slickest almost immediately after it starts raining. The water brings those oils to the surface, making it sneaky-slick.

If you get caught in a slick situation and your car starts gliding or hydroplaning, don’t panic or slam on the brakes. Keep a firm grip on the steering wheel, lift your foot off the accelerator, and let the vehicle coast (making sure not to turn the steering wheel) until you feel your vehicle get traction again.

To prevent hydroplaning:

make sure your tires are properly inflated and have significant tread
look for standing or running water and avoid it (if you can)
go easy around turns
keep your speed down: speed should match conditions

Be aware of thunderstorm warnings. If a thunderstorm starts while you’re driving and visibility is poor, pull over and wait it out. Don’t run the risk of being struck by lightning — stay in your car and pull off the roadway into a parking lot if possible.

Scorching Sun and Fuzzy Fog

One of the most vital parts of driving is visibility. Both bright sun and soupy fog can cause limited visibility. To combat that pesky fireball in the sky, always have UV sunglasses somewhere in the car. Consider getting polarized sunglasses as they help reduce glare and improve visibility. Your car’s pop-down visor can help reduce glare as well.

Fog can be a little trickier to handle than bright sunlight. Fog can reduce visibility to less than ¼ mile. Fog can also trick you into thinking you’re going slower than you really are, so keep the speed down. When you can’t see far ahead, it’s hard to see brake lights or traffic signs until you’re almost upon them. And just because you can’t see doesn’t mean that your high beams will improve visibility. In fact, high beams reduce visibility in fog. If your car has fog lamps, though, use them.

No matter what’s causing the bad driving conditions, just remember: Don’t venture out if you don’t have to.

How To Drive Defensively!

Jeeves Law Group — Mon, 20 Aug 2012 16:40:40 +0000

Instructions

- 1
  
  Buckle up. Seatbelts (if worn) could prevent about 50 percent of car accident deaths and injuries.
- 2
  
  Stay awake and alert. Nearly all collisions occur because one or both drivers were not paying attention. Whether it’s due to sleepiness or cell phones, being distracted when you’re driving is hazardous.
- 3
  
  Think ahead. Although you can never know what other drivers are thinking or what they will do, try to anticipate their next moves. Keeping your eyes open and being prepared to react to any possible driving mistakes is an important rule of defensive driving.
- 4
  
  Pay attention to stop and yield signs. Even if you have the right of way, be prepared to let the other driver go first. It’s better to wait half a minute at a stop sign than to end up in the hospital or the morgue.
- 5
  
  Apply the three-second rule. Keeping a minimum of three seconds of following distance between you and car in front of you creates time and space for you to react to unexpected situations. Slowing down or changing lanes to let tailgaters pass will create space behind your vehicle, also.
- 6
  
  Check your blind spots. Changing lanes without checking your blind spots is a hazardous habit. To drive safely, try to stay out of other drivers’ blind spots too.
- 7
  
  Use your turn signals. They are an important tool for the defensive driver and were made to let other drivers know your intentions. This can save your life and the lives of others on the road.

Tips & Warnings

Never, ever speed. Driving too fast puts you in a dangerous situation. It cuts your reaction time and it increases the momentum of your vehicle, making it even more dangerous in a collision.
Never, ever drink and drive. If you’re going out, find a driver who will stick to soft drinks. Nearly half of all fatal motor vehicle accidents involve alcohol.

11 Tips To Save Gas!

Jeeves Law Group — Fri, 17 Aug 2012 14:52:13 +0000

Fill up with a lower-octane gasoline. Buy the lowest grade or octane of gasoline that is appropriate for your car. Unless your car requires premium gasoline, filling up your car with high-octane fuel is a waste of money. That pricey premium fuel won’t boost your car’s fuel economy or performance in the least, so skip it.

If you’re not sure what grade of fuel works best for your car, open up your owner’s manual and take a look. As long as your engine doesn’t knock or ping when you fuel up with regular unleaded, you’re good to drive on this much cheaper gas. Passing on pricey premium gasoline could save you hundreds of dollars a year.

Don’t top off. Don’t bother topping off when filling your car’s gas tank. Any additional gas is just going to slop around or seep out. Why waste your money paying for gas your car won’t use? Stop pumping at the first indication that your tank is full when the automatic nozzle clicks off.

Tighten up that gas cap. Gas will evaporate from your car’s gas tank if it has an escape. Loose, missing or damaged gas caps cause 147 million gallons of gas to evaporate each year, according to the Car Care Council. So be sure to tighten up that gas cap each time you fuel up your car.

Go for the shade. The hot summer sun that makes the inside of your car feel like a sauna also zaps fuel from your gas tank.

“If you let your car bake in the sun there’s going to be a greater amount of evaporative emissions that take place than if you park in the shade,” says Jim Kliesch, research associate at the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy and vehicle analyst for GreenerCars.com.

So park your car in the shade of a building or tree whenever possible. And buy a good windshield shade. A windshield shade blocks sunlight and helps to keep heat out of the inside of your car.

Use your garage for your car. Got a garage? Clear it out and make room for your car. Parking in your garage will help your car stay warm in winter and cool in summer, and you won’t have to depend as much on your gas-guzzling air-conditioning or defroster when you drive.

Pump up your tires. Don’t get caught driving on underinflated tires. Underinflated tires wear down more quickly and they also lower your car’s gas mileage.

“Tires that have low pressure offer more resistance so the engine is going to work harder to keep the car at 60,” says Brian Moody, road test editor at Edmunds.com.

Your car’s gas mileage may plummet by as much as 15 percent. Driving on underinflated tires may also reduce the life of your tires by 15 percent or more.

Check your tire pressure once a month. Buy a digital gauge and keep it in your glove box. Compare the pressure in your tires with the recommended pressure listed in your owner’s manual and on the placard in your car door. Then inflate your tires as needed. Be sure to check tire pressure when your tires are cold. A good time is early in the morning after your car’s been idle overnight.

Keep your engine in tune. Fixing a car that is out of tune or has failed an emissions test can boost gas mileage by about 4 percent. So be sure to give your car regular tune-ups. You’ll also want to watch out for worn spark plugs. A misfiring spark plug can reduce a car’s fuel efficiency by as much as 30 percent.

Replace air filters. Keep a close eye on your engine’s air filter. When the engine air filter clogs with dirt, dust and bugs, it causes your engine to work harder and your car becomes less fuel-efficient. Replacing a clogged air filter could improve your gas mileage by as much as 10 percent and save you 15 cents a gallon. It’s a good idea to have your engine air filter checked at each oil change. The Car Care Council recommends changing your car’s air and oil filters every three months or 3,000 miles or as specified in your owner’s manual.

Use the right oil. You can improve your car’s gas mileage by 1 percent to 2 percent by using the manufacturer’s recommended grade of motor oil. Opt for motor oil with the words “energy conserving” on the API performance label. This oil contains friction-reducing additives.

Don’t skimp on maintenance. Be serious about auto care. Your car’s performance depends on it.

“Always follow the manufacturer-recommended maintenance,” Moody says. “The car’s designed to run a certain way. If you neglect it, it won’t be as efficient.”