A proposed Florida law designed to help authorities identify hit-and-run drivers could also require vehicles in the state to display two license plates.
In December, SB 92 was introduced, which aims to establish the "Lilly Glaubach Law." Its name honors a 13-year-old Tampa girl who was struck while riding her bicycle home from school, according to Local 10 Orlando affiliate WKMG.
When a driver is involved in a vehicle collision, the bill would require a repair shop to obtain a written accident report from the customer before beginning any vehicle repairs. This regulation applies if the estimated cost of the repair is $5,000 or more.
The document would contain details about the customer, the car, and an account of the damage, data that authorities could use to identify potential offenders who flee.
State Senator Joe Gruters (R-Sarasota), a co-sponsor of the bill, clarified: “This legislation seeks to deter hit-and-run accidents by increasing the accountability of motor vehicle repair shops and preventing individuals from performing their work under false pretenses.”
This week, in a Senate committee meeting, Gruters proposed an amendment to legislation requiring drivers to have license plates on the front and rear of their cars.
If the regulation goes into effect, Florida will join the other 29 states that require dual-sided license plates. Gruters mentioned that this adjustment could make it easier for both witnesses and law enforcement to recognize vehicles involved in hit-and-run incidents.
According to Gruters, “The reason they have two-way license plates is because as people speed away from these scenes, there are a lot of cameras out there,” “And those cameras can’t always see the back of the plate.”
Senator Lori Berman (D-Boynton Beach) expressed concern about the potential expense of implementing an additional license plate for Florida drivers.
“Will people in the state of Florida now have to pay double the fee to get another license plate?” Berman asked.
To which Gruters responded, “We’re working on that because, in my eyes, I’ve always said, ‘Well, you pay the registration fee, and you only pay twice. You basically pay two license plate fees.’” But no, the way the system works is you pay one registration fee, and the state would have to provide you with two plates.”
The amendment was approved by committee members, who cast a unanimous vote in support of the bill, which needs to go through an additional committee before being brought to a vote in the full Senate. If approved, it will take effect on July 1.
