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A new bill in Florida aimed at improving road safety could require drivers in the state to display two license plates on their cars, one in the front and one in the back.
The SB-92 project, officially named the Lilly Glaubach Act, is named after a 13-year-old girl from Tampa who was fatally struck while returning home from school.
Presented in December, the SB-92 aims to assist the police in identifying drivers who flee the scene after an accident.
The Lilly Glaubach Law also includes an important provision: in the event of an accident with estimated damages exceeding $5,000, repair shops would need to request a written report of the accident before performing any work on the vehicle.
The report would include relevant information about the owner, the vehicle, and the damages, which could help authorities identify the drivers involved in hit-and-run accidents.
State Senator Joe Gruters, a Republican from Sarasota, explained that the goal of increasing accountability for repair shops is to deter misconduct and fraud. "We want to prevent people from doing work under false pretenses," he said.
This week, during a Senate committee meeting, Gruters presented an amendment to the bill that would require vehicles in Florida to have license plates both in front and in the back.
The measure would facilitate the identification of vehicles in cases of fleeing, as traffic cameras do not always manage to capture the rear license plate of high-speed vehicles.
The proposal raised questions about whether drivers would have to pay an extra fee for a second license plate. According to Gruters, there would be no additional charge, as they would continue to pay a single registration fee, and it is the state's responsibility to provide two plates.
The committee unanimously approved the amendment, and now the bill will need to go through another committee before being considered by the Senate in a full vote. A similar bill has been introduced in the Florida House of Representatives.
If the legislative initiative is approved, it would come into effect on July 1. Florida would thus join 29 other states that already require licenses on both sides of the vehicle.
This change could be an important step in the fight against drivers who flee the scene of an accident, and if approved, it would represent a significant shift in the state's license plate regulations.
Frequently asked questions about the SB-92 bill in Florida
What changes does the SB-92 bill propose regarding vehicle registrations in Florida?
The SB-92 bill proposes that vehicles in Florida have both front and rear license plates. This change aims to enhance the identification of vehicles involved in hit-and-run accidents. Currently, in Florida, only a rear plate is required, but if the law is approved, drivers will need to have two plates, one at each end of the vehicle.
What is the main objective of the Lilly Glaubach Law?
The main goal of the Lilly Glaubach Law is to improve road safety and facilitate the identification of drivers who flee the scene after an accident. The law is named after a girl who died in an accident and aims to prevent future hit-and-run incidents by implementing front and rear license plates, as well as increasing the accountability of auto repair shops in these cases.
Will there be an additional cost for drivers for front plates?
No, there will be no additional cost for drivers for the front license plates. According to Senator Joe Gruters, drivers will continue to pay a single registration fee, and it will be the state responsible for providing the two necessary plates.
When would the Lilly Glaubach Law take effect if it is approved?
If approved, the Lilly Glaubach Law would come into effect on July 1. This change in registration regulations aims to align Florida with 29 other states that already require plates on both sides of the vehicle.
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