Florida Senate - 2022                CS for CS for CS for SB 876
       
       
        
       By the Committees on Rules; Criminal Justice; and
       Transportation; and Senators Pizzo and Rodrigues
       
       
       
       
       595-03059-22                                           2022876c3
    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 the operation of a vehicle for specified
    8         purposes; providing an exception; prohibiting the
    9         operation of a vehicle in a manner that would
   10         constitute a street takeover; prohibiting a person
   11         from being a spectator at a prohibited race or street
   12         takeover; providing applicability of specified
   13         criminal penalties; amending s. 318.18, F.S.;
   14         providing applicability of a certain civil penalty;
   15         amending s. 901.15, F.S.; conforming a provision to
   16         changes made by the act; reenacting ss. 316.027(2)(c)
   17         and 322.0261(4)(a) and (b), F.S., relating to crashes
   18         involving death or personal injuries and driver
   19         improvement courses, respectively, to incorporate the
   20         amendment made to s. 316.191, F.S., in references
   21         thereto; providing an effective date.
   22          
   23  Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:
   24  
   25         Section 1. Section 316.191, Florida Statutes, is amended to
   26  read:
   27         316.191 Racing on highways, street takeovers, and stunt
   28  driving on highways.—
   29         (1) As used in this section, the term:
   30         (a) “Burnout” means a maneuver performed while operating a
   31  motor vehicle whereby the vehicle is kept stationary, or is in
   32  motion, while the wheels are spun, the resulting friction
   33  causing the vehicle’s tires to heat up and emit smoke.
   34         (b) “Conviction” means a determination of guilt that is the
   35  result of a plea or trial, regardless of whether adjudication is
   36  withheld.
   37         (c)“Doughnut” means a maneuver performed while operating a
   38  motor vehicle whereby the front or rear of the vehicle is
   39  rotated around the opposite set of wheels in a continuous
   40  motion, which may cause a circular skid-mark pattern of rubber
   41  on the driving surface or the tires to heat up and emit smoke
   42  from friction, or both.
   43         (d)(b) “Drag race” means the operation of two or more motor
   44  vehicles from a point side by side at accelerating speeds in a
   45  competitive attempt to outdistance each other, or the operation
   46  of one or more motor vehicles over a common selected course,
   47  from the same point to the same point, for the purpose of
   48  comparing the relative speeds or power of acceleration of such
   49  motor vehicle or motor vehicles within a certain distance or
   50  time limit.
   51         (e)“Drifting” means a maneuver performed while operating a
   52  motor vehicle whereby the vehicle is steered so that it makes a
   53  controlled skid sideways through a turn with the front wheels
   54  pointed in a direction opposite to that of the turn.
   55         (f)(c) “Race” means the use of one or more motor vehicles
   56  in competition, arising from a challenge to demonstrate
   57  superiority of a motor vehicle or driver and the acceptance or
   58  competitive response to that challenge, either through a prior
   59  arrangement or in immediate response, in which the competitor
   60  attempts to outgain or outdistance another motor vehicle, to
   61  prevent another motor vehicle from passing, to arrive at a given
   62  destination ahead of another motor vehicle or motor vehicles, or
   63  to test the physical stamina or endurance of drivers over long
   64  distance driving routes. A race may be prearranged or may occur
   65  through a competitive response to conduct on the part of one or
   66  more drivers which, under the totality of the circumstances, can
   67  reasonably be interpreted as a challenge to race.
   68         (g)(d) “Spectator” means any person who is knowingly
   69  present at and views a drag race or street takeover, when such
   70  presence is the result of an affirmative choice to attend or
   71  participate in the event race. For purposes of determining
   72  whether or not an individual is a spectator, finders of fact
   73  shall consider the relationship between the motor vehicle
   74  operator racer and the individual, evidence of gambling or
   75  betting on the outcome of the event race, filming or recording
   76  the event, or posting the event on social media, and any other
   77  factor that would tend to show knowing attendance or
   78  participation.
   79         (h)“Street takeover” means the taking over of a portion of
   80  a highway or roadway by blocking or impeding the regular flow of
   81  traffic to perform burnouts, doughnuts, drifting, wheelies, or
   82  other stunt driving.
   83         (i)“Stunt driving” means to perform or engage in any
   84  burnouts, doughnuts, drifting, wheelies, or other activity on a
   85  roadway or highway which is likely to delay, distract, startle,
   86  or interfere with other users of the roadway or highway.
   87         (j)“Wheelie” means a maneuver performed while operating a
   88  motor vehicle whereby a motorcycle or other motor vehicle is
   89  ridden for a distance with the front wheel or wheels raised off
   90  the ground.
   91         (2) A person may not:
   92         (a) Drive any motor vehicle, including any motorcycle,
   93  autocycle, moped, all-terrain vehicle, off-road vehicle, or
   94  vehicle not licensed to operate on a highway or roadway, in any
   95  street takeover, stunt driving, race, speed competition or
   96  contest, drag race or acceleration contest, test of physical
   97  endurance, or exhibition of speed or acceleration or for the
   98  purpose of making a speed record or exhibiting the vehicle’s
   99  performance capabilities and driver’s abilities on any highway,
  100  roadway, or parking lot;
  101         (b) In any manner participate in, coordinate through social
  102  media or otherwise, facilitate, or collect moneys at any
  103  location for any such race, drag race, street takeover, stunt
  104  driving, competition, contest, test, or exhibition;
  105         (c) Knowingly ride as a passenger in any such race, drag
  106  race, street takeover, stunt driving, competition, contest,
  107  test, or exhibition; or
  108         (d) Purposefully cause the movement of traffic, including
  109  pedestrian traffic, to slow, or stop, or be impeded in any way
  110  for any such race, drag race, street takeover, stunt driving,
  111  competition, contest, test, or exhibition;
  112         (e) Operate a vehicle for the purpose of filming or
  113  recording the activities of participants in any such race, drag
  114  race, street takeover, stunt driving, competition, contest,
  115  test, or exhibition. This paragraph does not apply to bona fide
  116  members of the news media;
  117         (f) Operate a vehicle carrying any amount of fuel for the
  118  purposes of fueling a vehicle involved in any such race, drag
  119  race, street takeover, stunt driving, competition, contest,
  120  test, or exhibition; or
  121         (g) Operate a vehicle in a manner that would constitute
  122  participation in a street takeover.
  123         (3)(a) Any person who violates subsection (2) commits a
  124  misdemeanor of the first degree, punishable as provided in s.
  125  775.082 or s. 775.083. Any person who violates subsection (2)
  126  shall pay a fine of not less than $500 and not more than $1,000,
  127  and the department shall revoke the driver license of a person
  128  so convicted for 1 year. A hearing may be requested pursuant to
  129  s. 322.271.
  130         (b) Any person who commits a second violation of subsection
  131  (2) within 5 years after the date of a prior violation that
  132  resulted in a conviction for a violation of subsection (2)
  133  commits a misdemeanor of the first degree, punishable as
  134  provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083, and shall pay a fine of
  135  not less than $1,000 and not more than $3,000. The department
  136  shall also revoke the driver license of that person for 2 years.
  137  A hearing may be requested pursuant to s. 322.271.
  138         (c) Any person who commits a third or subsequent violation
  139  of subsection (2) within 5 years after the date of a prior
  140  violation that resulted in a conviction for a violation of
  141  subsection (2) commits a misdemeanor of the first degree,
  142  punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083, and shall
  143  pay a fine of not less than $2,000 and not more than $5,000. The
  144  department shall also revoke the driver license of that person
  145  for 4 years. A hearing may be requested pursuant to s. 322.271.
  146         (d) In any case charging a violation of subsection (2), the
  147  court shall be provided a copy of the driving record of the
  148  person charged and may obtain any records from any other source
  149  to determine if one or more prior convictions of the person for
  150  a violation of subsection (2) have occurred within 5 years prior
  151  to the charged offense.
  152         (4)(a) A person may not be a spectator at any race, drag
  153  race, or street takeover prohibited under subsection (2).
  154         (b) A person who violates paragraph (a) commits a
  155  noncriminal traffic infraction, punishable as a moving violation
  156  as provided in chapter 318.
  157         (5) Whenever a law enforcement officer has probable cause
  158  to believe that a person violated subsection (2), the officer
  159  may arrest and take such person into custody without a warrant.
  160  The court may enter an order of impoundment or immobilization as
  161  a condition of incarceration or probation. Within 7 business
  162  days after the date the court issues the order of impoundment or
  163  immobilization, the clerk of the court must send notice by
  164  certified mail, return receipt requested, to the registered
  165  owner of the motor vehicle, if the registered owner is a person
  166  other than the defendant, and to each person of record claiming
  167  a lien against the motor vehicle.
  168         (a) Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary,
  169  the impounding agency shall release a motor vehicle under the
  170  conditions provided in s. 316.193(6)(e), (f), (g), and (h), if
  171  the owner or agent presents a valid driver license at the time
  172  of pickup of the motor vehicle.
  173         (b) All costs and fees for the impoundment or
  174  immobilization, including the cost of notification, must be paid
  175  by the owner of the motor vehicle or, if the motor vehicle is
  176  leased or rented, by the person leasing or renting the motor
  177  vehicle, unless the impoundment or immobilization order is
  178  dismissed. All provisions of s. 713.78 shall apply.
  179         (c) Any motor vehicle used in violation of subsection (2)
  180  may be impounded for a period of 30 business days if a law
  181  enforcement officer has arrested and taken a person into custody
  182  pursuant to this subsection and the person being arrested is the
  183  registered owner or co-owner of the motor vehicle. If the
  184  arresting officer finds that the criteria of this paragraph are
  185  met, the officer may immediately impound the motor vehicle. The
  186  law enforcement officer shall notify the Department of Highway
  187  Safety and Motor Vehicles of any impoundment for violation of
  188  this subsection in accordance with procedures established by the
  189  department. Paragraphs (a) and (b) shall be applicable to such
  190  impoundment.
  191         (6) Any motor vehicle used in violation of subsection (2)
  192  by any person within 5 years after the date of a prior
  193  conviction of that person for a violation under subsection (2)
  194  may be seized and forfeited as provided by the Florida
  195  Contraband Forfeiture Act. This subsection shall only be
  196  applicable if the owner of the motor vehicle is the person
  197  charged with violating subsection (2).
  198         (7) This section does not apply to licensed or duly
  199  authorized racetracks, drag strips, or other designated areas
  200  set aside by proper authorities for such purposes.
  201         Section 2. Subsection (20) of section 318.18, Florida
  202  Statutes, is amended to read:
  203         318.18 Amount of penalties.—The penalties required for a
  204  noncriminal disposition pursuant to s. 318.14 or a criminal
  205  offense listed in s. 318.17 are as follows:
  206         (20) In addition to any other penalty, $65 for a violation
  207  of s. 316.191, prohibiting racing on highways, street takeovers,
  208  and stunt driving on highways, or s. 316.192, prohibiting
  209  reckless driving. The additional $65 collected under this
  210  subsection shall be remitted to the Department of Revenue for
  211  deposit into the Emergency Medical Services Trust Fund of the
  212  Department of Health to be used as provided in s. 395.4036.
  213         Section 3. Paragraph (d) of subsection (9) of section
  214  901.15, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
  215         901.15 When arrest by officer without warrant is lawful.—A
  216  law enforcement officer may arrest a person without a warrant
  217  when:
  218         (9) There is probable cause to believe that the person has
  219  committed:
  220         (d) A racing, street takeover, or stunt driving violation
  221  as described in s. 316.191(2).
  222         Section 4. For the purpose of incorporating the amendment
  223  made by this act to section 316.191, Florida Statutes, in a
  224  reference thereto, paragraph (c) of subsection (2) of section
  225  316.027, Florida Statutes, is reenacted to read:
  226         316.027 Crash involving death or personal injuries.—
  227         (2)
  228         (c) The driver of a vehicle involved in a crash occurring
  229  on public or private property which results in the death of a
  230  person shall immediately stop the vehicle at the scene of the
  231  crash, or as close thereto as possible, and shall remain at the
  232  scene of the crash until he or she has fulfilled the
  233  requirements of s. 316.062. A person who is arrested for a
  234  violation of this paragraph and who has previously been
  235  convicted of a violation of this section, s. 316.061, s.
  236  316.191, or s. 316.193, or a felony violation of s. 322.34,
  237  shall be held in custody until brought before the court for
  238  admittance to bail in accordance with chapter 903. A person who
  239  willfully violates this paragraph commits a felony of the first
  240  degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s.
  241  775.084, and shall be sentenced to a mandatory minimum term of
  242  imprisonment of 4 years. A person who willfully commits such a
  243  violation while driving under the influence as set forth in s.
  244  316.193(1) shall be sentenced to a mandatory minimum term of
  245  imprisonment of 4 years.
  246         Section 5. For the purpose of incorporating the amendment
  247  made by this act to section 316.191, Florida Statutes, in
  248  references thereto, paragraphs (a) and (b) of subsection (4) of
  249  section 322.0261, Florida Statutes, are reenacted to read:
  250         322.0261 Driver improvement course; requirement to maintain
  251  driving privileges; failure to complete; department approval of
  252  course.—
  253         (4)(a) The department shall identify any operator convicted
  254  of, or who pleaded nolo contendere to, a violation of s.
  255  316.074(1), s. 316.075(1)(c)1., s. 316.172, s. 316.191, or s.
  256  316.192 and shall require that operator, in addition to other
  257  applicable penalties, to attend a department-approved driver
  258  improvement course in order to maintain driving privileges. The
  259  department shall, within 10 days after receiving a notice of
  260  judicial disposition, send notice to the operator of the
  261  requirement to attend a driver improvement course. If the
  262  operator fails to complete the course within 90 days after
  263  receiving notice from the department, the operator’s driver
  264  license shall be canceled by the department until the course is
  265  successfully completed.
  266         (b) Any operator who receives a traffic citation for a
  267  violation of s. 316.074(1), s. 316.075(1)(c)1., s. 316.191, or
  268  s. 316.192, for which the court withholds adjudication, is not
  269  required to attend a driver improvement course, unless the court
  270  finds that the nature or severity of the violation is such that
  271  attendance to a driver improvement course is necessary. The
  272  department shall, within 10 days after receiving a notice of
  273  judicial disposition, send notice to the operator of the
  274  requirement to attend a driver improvement course. If the
  275  operator fails to complete the course within 90 days after
  276  receiving notice from the department, the operator’s driver
  277  license shall be canceled by the department until the course is
  278  successfully completed.
  279         Section 6. This act shall take effect October 1, 2022.