Tag Archives: miami civil traffic tickets

Impaired Driver Service Makes Its South Florida Debut

February 3, 2021Blog, Lifestyle / News, Miami civil traffic tickets, Miami traffic ticket lawyermiami civil traffic tickets, Miami Traffic Ticket Lawyeradmin

pexels-energepiccom-288476 An impaired driver safety service is debuting in Boca Raton after launching over a decade ago in Atlanta. Dubbed SafeRide America, the idea behind the service is simple. During the weekends, a driver will arrive and drive the impaired individual as well as their vehicle home, ensuring that both driver and vehicle arrive safely.

SafeRide America’s introduction to South Florida came about after its founder’s father lost his life due to a drunk driver who was involved in a head-on collision. The driver had a blood-alcohol content level three times the legal limit and was driving on the wrong side of the road.

The cost of SafeRide America is only $2 a minute and there are no waiting fees or surcharges involved. It’s a small price to pay that makes the roads safer for everyone, especially in South Florida which is already known for its dangerous roadways.

Although SafeRide America is limited to Boca Raton, the service has plans to expand to several different cities in Florida by March.

This update is brought to you by Miami traffic ticket lawyer Hochman & Goldin, P.A. We can assist you with criminal traffic violations and we are ready to answer your questions and help you fight your ticket. Please call 305-665-1000 to speak about Miami civil traffic tickets.

This information is provided for educational or informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice. The information is not provided in the course of an attorney-client relationship and is not intended to substitute for legal advice.

Upgraded Florida Law Increases Penalties for Passing a School Bus

January 6, 2021Blog, Lifestyle / News, Miami civil traffic ticketsmiami civil traffic tickets, Miami Traffic Ticket Lawyeradmin

school-bus-4406479_1920 It’s a new year which means new Florida laws have gone into effect. One of these laws is directly aimed at addressing the major issue of children losing their lives or suffering a serious injury due to vehicles illegally passing school buses while children are exiting the bus.

The penalties for passing a school bus are now double. With the newly upgraded law, failing to stop for a school bus now carries a minimum penalty of $200, up from $100. Should a driver commit a second offense within a five period, the license will be suspended for as long as a year.

Furthermore, anytime the school bus has its stop sign showing, the punishment for passing the school bus on the side where kids enter and exit is now a minimum of $400, up from $200. Should a second offense be made within five years, the person’s license may be suspended for as long as two years.

Cars driving in both directions must stop and wait while kids leave the bus when a school bus has its stop sign displayed. Drivers must continue to wait until the stop sign has been completely retracted by the school bus.

This update is brought to you by Miami traffic ticket lawyer Hochman & Goldin, P.A. We can assist you with criminal traffic violations, and we are ready to answer your questions and help you fight your ticket. Please call 305-665-1000 to speak about Miami civil traffic tickets.

The Future of Red Light Cameras Is Again at Stake

December 8, 2020Blog, Lifestyle / News, Miami civil traffic tickets, Miami traffic ticket lawyermiami civil traffic tickets, Miami Traffic Ticket Lawyeradmin

kristaps-solims-W_ecxRPgIaE-unsplash A major point of ongoing contention and debate has been the use of red-light cameras in Florida. Back in 2018, just over sixty cities in the state were operating more than 600 red light cameras according to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles.

Last month, the Florida Supreme Court chose not to hear a case involving the challenging of Aventura’s red-light camera program, which, essentially, may be construed as a ruling that cameras are constitutional do not run afoul of Florida traffic laws.

With legislative efforts to ban the implementation of red light cameras by cities and other agencies unsuccessful, Florida legislators will again examine legislation to constitutionally make them a thing of the past. A state representative who has filed legislation to ban red-light cameras for the past two years has again introduced a proposal that would prevent them from being installed by city municipalities.

The representative’s House Bill 6009 will prohibit “traffic infraction detectors” by revoking 2010’s Senate Bill 294 that established the Mark Wandall Traffic Safety Initiative, which permitted red-light camera use in Florida. The act was named after a man who lost his life after a vehicle he was in was struck by another motorist who ran a red light.

Frequently Traveled Florida Highway Is the Deadliest

October 13, 2020Blog, Lifestyle / News, Miami civil traffic tickets, Miami traffic ticket lawyermiami civil traffic tickets, Miami Traffic Ticket Lawyeradmin

i95 When it comes to anything driving-related, Florida usually doesn’t make the news for the most positive reasons, and today’s topic is no exception. According to the Sun-Sentinel article, Interstate 95 better known simply as I-95 is the deadliest highway in Florida and it allegedly is also among the most ignored by law enforcement.

The newspaper analyzed accident reports and traffic citations for five years, met with many state troopers and traffic analysts, and urged the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to examine the threat posed by I-95.

Per the article, troopers have written nearly forty percent fewer tickets on I-95 despite a more than forty percent rise in crashes. Fewer troops are patrolling the roadway nowadays compared to the numbers two decades ago. Troopers have said they have concerns about stopping people due to the risk posed by speeding drivers.

Interestingly, the busiest segments of I-95 are right here in South Florida, with Broward County accounting for 300,000+ daily, which is well over the number of vehicles I-95 was designed for.

Ridesharing Service Ramps up Its Mask Requirement

September 17, 2020Blog, Lifestyle / News, Miami civil traffic tickets, Miami traffic ticket lawyermiami civil traffic tickets, Miami Traffic Ticket Lawyersadmin

app-2941689_1920 If you’ve done any ridesharing lately, you may have noticed that services like Uber have ramped up their stance on wearing masks. As a preventative measure, the service began requiring that drivers snap a selfie wearing a mask before they are allowed to pick up passengers. Uber is now looking to do the same with certain passengers.

If an Uber driver has reported that a passenger has not worn a mask in the past, the passenger will be required to follow the same steps as that of a driver, meaning they must take a selfie showing they are wearing a mask before they can request a ride. The requirement will roll out near the end of the month but you may have already noticed it. Should the ride go smoothly without any issues, the passenger will not be required to take another selfie during their next ride.

According to the source article, Uber has also optimized their software to ensure that passengers and drivers cannot try and “fool” the app by attempting to cover their mouths with their hands, for example.

Turn Signals Go a Long Way

August 12, 2020Blog, Lifestyle / News, Miami civil traffic tickets, Miami Traffic Lawyersmiami civil traffic tickets, Miami Traffic Ticket Lawyeradmin

jumpstory-download20200811-141407 The turn signal (aka the blinker) has been a common vehicle feature since the late 1930s. However, if you’ve done any driving in South Florida, you’ll notice many drivers seemingly don’t take advantage of it. The turn signal indicates to other drivers that the driver wants to move to another lane or that they will be turning soon. It can play a major role in avoiding a potential crash, while also lessening the odds of road rage. Most drivers know how irksome it can be when someone decides to turn or move into your lane without warning. What some Florida drivers may not know is the following: the use of turn signals is mandated by law.

The issue of “turning signal neglect” remains a big issue. Drivers who do not use their turn signals contribute to numerous collisions and they make the roads more dangerous for all. The problem may be as bad as another common issue plaguing drivers: distracted driving.

Drivers may think that if they fire up the turn signal, nearby vehicles will choose to accelerate so that the driver looking to move to another lane cannot get in front of them or cut them off. It’s typical to notice cases of road rage emerge due to a driver deliberately speeding up to keep another driver from coming into the lane despite the turn signal being used. While such scenarios cannot be prevented, the majority of drivers will allow the vehicle to move into the lane provided the turn signal has been used with enough time. With the use of signals, the roads become a little safer for everyone.

Florida Gas Prices Have Significantly Plunged

July 14, 2020Blog, Lifestyle / News, Miami traffic ticket lawyermiami civil traffic tickets, Miami Traffic Ticket Lawyeradmin

fuel-1596622_1920 If it seems like there hasn’t been a lot of positive news lately, South Florida drivers may be pleased to hear the following: gas prices across Florida are at their lowest in sixteen years. Pump prices have dropped now that there are fewer drivers on the roads.

According to AAA, Florida motorists are paying about $2.10 a gallon for regular unleaded gas. That number is in stark contrast to the past when, during July 2008, the same regular unleaded gas was averaging a whopping $4.11 per gallon. Last year, the numbers hovered around $2.77. Per AAA, the average price for a gallon of regular unleaded gas in what it deems the Miami metro area is around $2.09, while the metro area of Broward and Fort Lauderdale metro is currently about $2.12.

One of the least expensive places to get gas in Florida is in Orlando, where a gallon is currently hovering around $2.07. As for the highest, that distinction goes to the West Palm Beach and Boca Raton metro area where prices for regular unleaded gas are $2.20 per gallon.

Obtaining a DUI Police Report

June 16, 2020Blog, Lifestyle / News, Miami civil traffic tickets, Miami Traffic Lawyersmiami civil traffic tickets, Miami Traffic Ticket Lawyeradmin

dui-40566_1280 Should you be charged with a DUI, one of the initial steps to take beyond contacting a DUI lawyer is to request a copy of the police report. This police report could become an invaluable tool in helping you get a better understanding of the alleged charges and it may also prove beneficial in helping your legal representation successfully argue your case in court.

The majority of police reports will include a field sobriety test checklist, a breathalyzer test printout if one is taken, a laboratory report showing the blood or urine test submitted, and a narrative of what the arresting officer observed and what happened. These events will discuss the reasons behind the arrest as well as the driver’s demeanor and how the driver failed one of the impairment tests.

As you read the report, you may disagree with how things are described. While this might seem a cause for concern, getting a copy of the police report is helpful for your case. It will inform you and your lawyer precisely what the officers during the trial. Although you might think the police have a strong case against you, that may not be valid. There may be many reasons why sober people fail their field sobriety tests.

Learn More About the Move Over Law

May 20, 2020Blog, Lifestyle / News, Miami civil traffic tickets, Miami traffic ticket lawyermiami civil traffic tickets, Miami Traffic Ticket Lawyeradmin

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At its simplest, the “Move Over” law requires drivers that are approaching stationary emergency vehicles to either move over a lane or slow down. Each state has some variation on the law, and we’ll be focusing on Florida.

Also known as Florida Statute 316.126, the Sunshine State’s Move Over Law was enacted in 2002 and obligates drivers to obey emergency vehicles that send audible or visible signs both on the way to emergencies and when stationary as they deal with emergencies along the roadside.

If an emergency vehicle that is en route to an accident approaches or is being approached, drivers are required to vacate the intersection, proceed to the nearest edge of the highway, and wait until the vehicle has passed. A driver must slow down speeds to under twenty miles below the posted speed limit when they need to pass a stationary emergency vehicle on a single-lane route or if they cannot change lanes while on a two-lane roadway.

Pedestrians must also understand the Move Over Law by yielding to emergency vehicles until the vehicles have passed and otherwise sticking to the right of way. This only changes if a law enforcement officer has instructed the pedestrian to do otherwise.

Good News for Florida Drivers With Soon-to-Expire Licenses

March 24, 2020Blog, Miami civil traffic tickets, Miami traffic ticket lawyermiami civil traffic tickets, Miami Traffic Ticket Lawyeradmin

i95 Previously we told you how the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) has decided to suspend the acceptance of cash at the various tolls plazas found throughout the Florida Turnpike in response to the coronavirus. Recently, Governor Ron DeSantis and the FDOT director announced some news that may come as some relief to drivers with a soon-to-expire license.

A 30-day extension past their initial expiry date will be given to all Florida driver licenses, commercial driver’s licenses, and identification cards due to expire in the next 30 days. During the extension period, delinquent renewal fees will be waived.

Furthermore, Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles is encouraging Floridians who can complete their electronic driver license or motor vehicle transactions online to do so, rather than in person at a driver’s license bureau. Floridians may use GoRenew.com to register a motor vehicle, renew their license, change their address, and much more.

Under normal circumstances, driving with an expired license in the state of Florida during the grace period may result in a $30 fine.