Florida Senate - 2022                              CS for SB 876
       
       
        
       By the Committee on Transportation; and Senator Pizzo
       
       
       
       
       
       596-01967-22                                           2022876c1
    1                        A bill to be entitled                      
    2         An act relating to stunt driving on highways; amending
    3         s. 316.191, F.S.; defining terms; revising the
    4         definition of the term “spectator”; prohibiting
    5         specified acts relating to street takeovers or stunt
    6         driving on highways, roadways, or parking lots;
    7         prohibiting a person from being a spectator at a
    8         street takeover; providing applicability of specified
    9         criminal penalties; amending s. 318.18, F.S.;
   10         providing applicability of a certain civil penalty;
   11         amending s. 901.15, F.S.; conforming a provision to
   12         changes made by the act; reenacting s. 322.0261(4)(a)
   13         and (b), F.S., relating to driver improvement courses,
   14         to incorporate the amendment made to s. 316.191, F.S.,
   15         in references thereto; providing an effective date.
   16          
   17  Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:
   18  
   19         Section 1. Section 316.191, Florida Statutes, is amended to
   20  read:
   21         316.191 Racing on highways, street takeovers, and stunt
   22  driving on highways.—
   23         (1) As used in this section, the term:
   24         (a) “Burnout” means a maneuver performed while operating a
   25  motor vehicle whereby the vehicle is kept stationary, or is in
   26  motion, while the wheels are spun, the resulting friction
   27  causing the vehicle’s tires to heat up and emit smoke.
   28         (b) “Conviction” means a determination of guilt that is the
   29  result of a plea or trial, regardless of whether adjudication is
   30  withheld.
   31         (c)“Doughnut” means a maneuver performed while operating a
   32  motor vehicle whereby the front or rear of the vehicle is
   33  rotated around the opposite set of wheels in a continuous motion
   34  which may cause a circular skid-mark pattern of rubber on the
   35  driving surface or the tires to heat up and emit smoke from
   36  friction, or both.
   37         (d)(b) “Drag race” means the operation of two or more motor
   38  vehicles from a point side by side at accelerating speeds in a
   39  competitive attempt to outdistance each other, or the operation
   40  of one or more motor vehicles over a common selected course,
   41  from the same point to the same point, for the purpose of
   42  comparing the relative speeds or power of acceleration of such
   43  motor vehicle or motor vehicles within a certain distance or
   44  time limit.
   45         (e)“Drifting” means a maneuver performed while operating a
   46  motor vehicle whereby the vehicle is steered so that it makes a
   47  controlled skid sideways through a turn with the front wheels
   48  pointed in a direction opposite to that of the turn.
   49         (f)(c) “Race” means the use of one or more motor vehicles
   50  in competition, arising from a challenge to demonstrate
   51  superiority of a motor vehicle or driver and the acceptance or
   52  competitive response to that challenge, either through a prior
   53  arrangement or in immediate response, in which the competitor
   54  attempts to outgain or outdistance another motor vehicle, to
   55  prevent another motor vehicle from passing, to arrive at a given
   56  destination ahead of another motor vehicle or motor vehicles, or
   57  to test the physical stamina or endurance of drivers over long
   58  distance driving routes. A race may be prearranged or may occur
   59  through a competitive response to conduct on the part of one or
   60  more drivers which, under the totality of the circumstances, can
   61  reasonably be interpreted as a challenge to race.
   62         (g)(d) “Spectator” means any person who is knowingly
   63  present at and views a drag race or street takeover, when such
   64  presence is the result of an affirmative choice to attend or
   65  participate in the event race. For purposes of determining
   66  whether or not an individual is a spectator, finders of fact
   67  shall consider the relationship between the motor vehicle
   68  operator racer and the individual, evidence of gambling or
   69  betting on the outcome of the event race, and any other factor
   70  that would tend to show knowing attendance or participation.
   71         (h)“Street takeover” means the taking over of a portion of
   72  a highway or roadway by blocking or impeding the regular flow of
   73  traffic to perform burnouts, doughnuts, drifting, wheelies, or
   74  other stunt driving.
   75         (i)“Stunt driving” means to perform or engage in any
   76  burnouts, doughnuts, drifting, wheelies, or other activity on a
   77  roadway or highway which is likely to delay, distract, startle,
   78  or interfere with other users of the roadway or highway.
   79         (j)“Wheelie” means a maneuver performed while operating a
   80  motor vehicle whereby a motorcycle or other motor vehicle is
   81  ridden for a distance with the front wheel or wheels raised off
   82  the ground.
   83         (2) A person may not:
   84         (a) Drive any motor vehicle, including any motorcycle, in
   85  any street takeover, stunt driving, race, speed competition or
   86  contest, drag race or acceleration contest, test of physical
   87  endurance, or exhibition of speed or acceleration or for the
   88  purpose of making a speed record on any highway, roadway, or
   89  parking lot;
   90         (b) In any manner participate in, coordinate, facilitate,
   91  or collect moneys at any location for any such race, street
   92  takeover, stunt driving, competition, contest, test, or
   93  exhibition;
   94         (c) Knowingly ride as a passenger in any such race, street
   95  takeover, stunt driving, competition, contest, test, or
   96  exhibition; or
   97         (d) Purposefully cause the movement of traffic to slow or
   98  stop for any such race, street takeover, stunt driving,
   99  competition, contest, test, or exhibition.
  100         (3)(a) Any person who violates subsection (2) commits a
  101  misdemeanor of the first degree, punishable as provided in s.
  102  775.082 or s. 775.083. Any person who violates subsection (2)
  103  shall pay a fine of not less than $500 and not more than $1,000,
  104  and the department shall revoke the driver license of a person
  105  so convicted for 1 year. A hearing may be requested pursuant to
  106  s. 322.271.
  107         (b) Any person who commits a second violation of subsection
  108  (2) within 5 years after the date of a prior violation that
  109  resulted in a conviction for a violation of subsection (2)
  110  commits a misdemeanor of the first degree, punishable as
  111  provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083, and shall pay a fine of
  112  not less than $1,000 and not more than $3,000. The department
  113  shall also revoke the driver license of that person for 2 years.
  114  A hearing may be requested pursuant to s. 322.271.
  115         (c) Any person who commits a third or subsequent violation
  116  of subsection (2) within 5 years after the date of a prior
  117  violation that resulted in a conviction for a violation of
  118  subsection (2) commits a misdemeanor of the first degree,
  119  punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083, and shall
  120  pay a fine of not less than $2,000 and not more than $5,000. The
  121  department shall also revoke the driver license of that person
  122  for 4 years. A hearing may be requested pursuant to s. 322.271.
  123         (d) In any case charging a violation of subsection (2), the
  124  court shall be provided a copy of the driving record of the
  125  person charged and may obtain any records from any other source
  126  to determine if one or more prior convictions of the person for
  127  a violation of subsection (2) have occurred within 5 years prior
  128  to the charged offense.
  129         (4)(a) A person may not be a spectator at any drag race or
  130  street takeover prohibited under subsection (2).
  131         (b) A person who violates paragraph (a) commits a
  132  noncriminal traffic infraction, punishable as a moving violation
  133  as provided in chapter 318.
  134         (5) Whenever a law enforcement officer has probable cause
  135  to believe that a person violated subsection (2), the officer
  136  may arrest and take such person into custody without a warrant.
  137  The court may enter an order of impoundment or immobilization as
  138  a condition of incarceration or probation. Within 7 business
  139  days after the date the court issues the order of impoundment or
  140  immobilization, the clerk of the court must send notice by
  141  certified mail, return receipt requested, to the registered
  142  owner of the motor vehicle, if the registered owner is a person
  143  other than the defendant, and to each person of record claiming
  144  a lien against the motor vehicle.
  145         (a) Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary,
  146  the impounding agency shall release a motor vehicle under the
  147  conditions provided in s. 316.193(6)(e), (f), (g), and (h), if
  148  the owner or agent presents a valid driver license at the time
  149  of pickup of the motor vehicle.
  150         (b) All costs and fees for the impoundment or
  151  immobilization, including the cost of notification, must be paid
  152  by the owner of the motor vehicle or, if the motor vehicle is
  153  leased or rented, by the person leasing or renting the motor
  154  vehicle, unless the impoundment or immobilization order is
  155  dismissed. All provisions of s. 713.78 shall apply.
  156         (c) Any motor vehicle used in violation of subsection (2)
  157  may be impounded for a period of 30 business days if a law
  158  enforcement officer has arrested and taken a person into custody
  159  pursuant to this subsection and the person being arrested is the
  160  registered owner or co-owner of the motor vehicle. If the
  161  arresting officer finds that the criteria of this paragraph are
  162  met, the officer may immediately impound the motor vehicle. The
  163  law enforcement officer shall notify the Department of Highway
  164  Safety and Motor Vehicles of any impoundment for violation of
  165  this subsection in accordance with procedures established by the
  166  department. Paragraphs (a) and (b) shall be applicable to such
  167  impoundment.
  168         (6) Any motor vehicle used in violation of subsection (2)
  169  by any person within 5 years after the date of a prior
  170  conviction of that person for a violation under subsection (2)
  171  may be seized and forfeited as provided by the Florida
  172  Contraband Forfeiture Act. This subsection shall only be
  173  applicable if the owner of the motor vehicle is the person
  174  charged with violating subsection (2).
  175         (7) This section does not apply to licensed or duly
  176  authorized racetracks, drag strips, or other designated areas
  177  set aside by proper authorities for such purposes.
  178         Section 2. Subsection (20) of section 318.18, Florida
  179  Statutes, is amended to read:
  180         318.18 Amount of penalties.—The penalties required for a
  181  noncriminal disposition pursuant to s. 318.14 or a criminal
  182  offense listed in s. 318.17 are as follows:
  183         (20) In addition to any other penalty, $65 for a violation
  184  of s. 316.191, prohibiting racing on highways, street takeovers,
  185  and stunt driving on highways, or s. 316.192, prohibiting
  186  reckless driving. The additional $65 collected under this
  187  subsection shall be remitted to the Department of Revenue for
  188  deposit into the Emergency Medical Services Trust Fund of the
  189  Department of Health to be used as provided in s. 395.4036.
  190         Section 3. Paragraph (d) of subsection (9) of section
  191  901.15, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
  192         901.15 When arrest by officer without warrant is lawful.—A
  193  law enforcement officer may arrest a person without a warrant
  194  when:
  195         (9) There is probable cause to believe that the person has
  196  committed:
  197         (d) A racing, street takeover, or stunt driving violation
  198  as described in s. 316.191(2).
  199         Section 4. For the purpose of incorporating the amendment
  200  made by this act to section 316.191, Florida Statutes, in
  201  references thereto, paragraphs (a) and (b) of subsection (4) of
  202  section 322.0261, Florida Statutes, are reenacted to read:
  203         322.0261 Driver improvement course; requirement to maintain
  204  driving privileges; failure to complete; department approval of
  205  course.—
  206         (4)(a) The department shall identify any operator convicted
  207  of, or who pleaded nolo contendere to, a violation of s.
  208  316.074(1), s. 316.075(1)(c)1., s. 316.172, s. 316.191, or s.
  209  316.192 and shall require that operator, in addition to other
  210  applicable penalties, to attend a department-approved driver
  211  improvement course in order to maintain driving privileges. The
  212  department shall, within 10 days after receiving a notice of
  213  judicial disposition, send notice to the operator of the
  214  requirement to attend a driver improvement course. If the
  215  operator fails to complete the course within 90 days after
  216  receiving notice from the department, the operator’s driver
  217  license shall be canceled by the department until the course is
  218  successfully completed.
  219         (b) Any operator who receives a traffic citation for a
  220  violation of s. 316.074(1), s. 316.075(1)(c)1., s. 316.191, or
  221  s. 316.192, for which the court withholds adjudication, is not
  222  required to attend a driver improvement course, unless the court
  223  finds that the nature or severity of the violation is such that
  224  attendance to a driver improvement course is necessary. The
  225  department shall, within 10 days after receiving a notice of
  226  judicial disposition, send notice to the operator of the
  227  requirement to attend a driver improvement course. If the
  228  operator fails to complete the course within 90 days after
  229  receiving notice from the department, the operator’s driver
  230  license shall be canceled by the department until the course is
  231  successfully completed.
  232         Section 5. This act shall take effect October 1, 2022.