TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – A Florida bill aimed at helping investigators catch hit-and-run drivers may also require cars in the state to have two license plates.
The bill (SB 92) was filed back in December, and it would create a new law dubbed the “Lilly Glaubach Act,” named for a 13-year-old girl from Tampa who was struck by a car while riding her bike home from school.
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In cases where a driver gets into a car crash, the bill would require a motor vehicle repair shop to request a written crash report from the customer before performing any repair work on the vehicle. This applies if the repair work is estimated to cost at least $5,000.
The form would include information on the customer, vehicle, and a description of the damage — information that could be used by investigators to nab potential hit-and-run drivers.
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“This legislation seeks to deter hit-and-runs by increasing the accountability of motor vehicle repair shops while preventing individuals from getting work done under false pretenses,” explained state Sen. Joe Gruters (R-Sarasota), who co-sponsored the bill.
But during a Senate committee meeting this week, Gruters brought up an amendment to the bill, which requires drivers to display a license plate both on the front and back of their vehicles.
If the rule were to be implemented, Florida would then join the 29 other states that mandate two-way license plates. Gruters claimed that the change could help investigators and witnesses identify hit-and-run vehicles more easily.
“The reason why they have two-way license plates is because as people are speeding away from these scenes, there’s a lot of cameras out there,” Gruters stated. “And those cameras can’t always see the back of the plate.”
However, Sen. Lori Berman (D-Boynton Beach) probed Gruters on the potential cost of another plate for Florida drivers.
“Will the people of the state of Florida now have to pay the double fee for getting another license plate?” Berman asked.
“We’re working on that because in my eyes, I always said, ‘Well, you pay the registration fee, and you just pay twice. You pay essentially two plate fees,’” Gruters responded. “But no, the way the system works is that you pay a single registration fee, and the state would have to provide two license plates to you.”
Committee members ultimately approved the amendment and voted unanimously in favor of the bill, which must pass through one more committee before being considered by a full Senate vote.
If the bill is approved and signed into law, it will take effect on July 1. A similar bill has also been filed in the House.