Thread: Losing Car if Driving Without License in Florida

The politically correct way to deal with unlicensed drivers which in many cases are illegals. Not once have they used the words illegal immigrants or a variation of it. I must congratulate them on this one. Political correctness for gains on our side...priceless!

http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/16657779.htm

Lawmaker proposes crackdown on illegal driversFloridians caught driving with suspended or revoked licenses would lose their cars under a legislative proposal being pushed by a Broward lawmaker.
BY GARY FINEOUT
gfineout@MiamiHerald.com
TALLAHASSEE - Citing the tragic deaths of three Floridians, a state lawmaker wants state and local cops to seize the cars of anyone caught driving with a suspended or revoked license.

The far-reaching proposed legislation already has come under fire from one group of civil rights advocates, which says the measure is too severe.

State Rep. Ari Abraham Porth, a Coral Springs Democrat and prosecutor, says it's time to crack down on the thousands of Floridians caught driving illegally each year. State records show that more than 209,000 motorists -- including more than 19,200 drivers in Broward and nearly 32,200 in Miami-Dade -- were ticketed in 2005 for driving with suspended or revoked licenses.

''Driving is a privilege, not a right,'' said Porth. ``I think it is a change in mind-set to the way we have been handling these traffic offenders. I think it is a simple solution to a real problem.''

Porth's bill is named after Orange County Sheriff's Deputy Michael Callin, Broward County Sheriff's Deputy Ryan Seguin and Michael Haligowski. All three were killed by drivers who had suspended or revoked licenses. Seguin, 23, was struck and killed a year ago while he was working a traffic stop on Interstate 595.

The legislation orders police to seize any car driven by someone with a suspended or revoked license and gives cops the authority either to tow away the car or to place a boot on the tires. Drivers would have to get their licenses restored and pay towing, storage and state administrative fees before the car would be returned.

If a motorist borrowed the car of a friend or family member, the owner of the car could get it back, but would have to pay the towing and storage charges and the state administrative costs.

The bill also says car owners could be charged with a misdemeanor if they knew a person using the car had a suspended or revoked license.

Howard Simon, executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union of Florida, said Porth's bill goes too far and would punish people or family members who have nothing to do with the crime. He said some families have only one car.

''The presumption is that everyone owns a car like they own a pair of shoes, and no one in the family is dependent on it,'' Simon said. ``The failure to think about that is one of the unhappy unintended consequences that could come from this. It may be a spouse needs that car to go to work.''

The legislation includes a one-year grace period where the state would go on a publicity campaign to warn drivers that starting in July 2008, they could lose their cars by driving with suspended or revoked licenses.

While Porth is a Democrat, the legislation is being sponsored in the Florida Senate by Sen. Don Gaetz, a Niceville Republican

''The presumption is that everyone owns a car like they own a pair of shoes, and no one in the family is dependent on it,'' Simon said.

Yeah, but MY shoes are fully licensed and insured. But then again Simon, my shoes don't weigh 2000 pounds! Simon will spew this crappola until one of these fine people plows into HIS wife and kills her and his kids. THEN he will want to sue the state because they didn't do more to keep these fine people from driving.

I think this is a great idea. I for one don't lone my car to anyone and if I did I would certainly make sure they had a valid drivers license. There really is no problem with this law except for those people who have no respect for laws to begin with!!!

I don't loan my car or my guns out, because um, like they can like kill people.

Howard Simon, executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union of Florida, said Porth's bill goes too far and would punish people or family members who have nothing to do with the crime. He said some families have only one car.

''The presumption is that everyone owns a car like they own a pair of shoes, and no one in the family is dependent on it,'' Simon said. ``The failure to think about that is one of the unhappy unintended consequences that could come from this. It may be a spouse needs that car to go to work.''

I like the way Mr Simon tries to rationalize the wrongdoing. Many of us had to face sharing a car, and we did it the right way. Stop protecting the criminals ACLU!! Everyone needs a LEGITIMATE licence and car insurance.

I agree that everyone should have a drivers license and insurance. As for allowing someone to use your car, if you aren't smart enough to make sure that the person has a valid license than you should learn about it the hard way. You wouldn't believe how often someone lets a family member or friend who is unlicensed drive their vehicle. Once the unlicensed driver gets into an accident and the owner finds out they call the police either reporting the car stolen or unauthorized use. They don't realize that it won't help as the accident occurred before they called and have to explain how the driver got the keys.

Originally Posted by JadedBaztard

I don't loan my car or my guns out, because um, like they can like kill people.

Good one Jaded!!

Swatchick: Is it common for illegals to get pulled over in a stolen car? And if so, would the owners of the car suffer any consequences of this action? I am guessing that it would also depend on whether or not the car was actually reported stolen in the first place(?)

All I see in the article is a provision to tow or boot if the driver has a suspended or revoked license. What about if the are unlicensed ?

Does the proposed bill address anyone that has never had a valid
license issued them from any US State DMV?

anyone regardless of who they are should not be driving a car without a license and insurance. Any car with a driver without a license should become the property of the state to be sold at auction the only exception is if the car is stolen. If you loan a car you should ensure that the driver has a license.

Of course the aCLU is going to protest becuase mothers will not be able to take children to doctors, etc.

I know another thing the illegals do as well........steal your license plates and put bogus or illegal ones on your car. It happened to my husband. He was innocent but they still impounded his car and he had to pay everything to get it out. Of course by that time.....the illegal made it to Wisconsin just fine and my husband lost out big time.