A Florida law aimed at assisting investigators in locating hit-and-run drivers may also require vehicles in the state to have two license plates.
The bill (SB 92) was introduced in December and would establish a new law known as the “Lilly Glaubach Act,” after a 13-year-old Tampa girl who was struck by an automobile while riding her bicycle home from school.
When a driver is involved in a car accident, the bill requires a motor vehicle repair shop to obtain a written crash report from the customer before doing any repairs on the vehicle. This applies if the repair work is expected to cost at least $5,000.
The form would include information about the client, the car, and a description of the damage, which investigators may use to identify possible hit-and-run drivers.
“This legislation seeks to deter hit-and-runs by increasing the accountability of motor vehicle repair shops while preventing individuals from getting work done under false pretences,” noted state Sen. Joe Gruters (R-Sarasota), the bill’s co-author.
But during a Senate committee meeting this week, Gruters proposed an amendment to the measure that compels drivers to display a license plate on both the front and back of their vehicles.
If the rule were to be enforced, Florida would join the 29 other states that require two-way license plates. Gruters stated the measure will make it easier for investigators and witnesses to identify hit-and-run vehicles.
“The reason why they have two-way license plates is because as people are speeding away from these scenes, there’s a lot of cameras out there,” Gruters told me. “And those cameras can’t always see the back of the plate.”
Sen. Lori Berman (D-Boynton Beach) questioned Gruters on the probable cost of another plate for Florida vehicles.
“Will the people of the state of Florida now have to pay the double fee for getting another license plate?” Berman asked.
“We’re working on it because I always said, ‘Well, you pay the registration fee twice.'” “You pay essentially two plate fees,” Gruters replied. “But no, the way the system works is that you pay a single registration fee, and the state would have to provide two license plates to you.”
Committee members finally adopted the adjustment and voted unanimously in favour of the bill, which must go via one more committee before being reviewed by the full Senate.
If the bill is approved and signed into law, it will become effective on July 1. A similar bill has been introduced in the House.
Reference: Florida drivers may soon need 2 license plates on their cars.
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