A recent post at Tampabay.com used statistics from the National Highway Safety Administration to drive home the point that riding a motorcycle on the public roads in Florida is dangerous. According to the post, the number of motorcycle rider deaths nationally has steadily gone up from 2,110 deaths in 1997 to 4,810 deaths in 2006. In addition, motorcycle riders are 35 times more likely to die when they are in a wreck than people riding in car.

The state with the most motorcycle deaths is Florida. Local Tampa Bay statistics seem to support the conclusion. For example, in less than two months the following deaths have been reported:

35 year old Juan Andino-Casillas was killed in Tampa in February of 2009 after he drove his Suzuki motorcycle into a car that turned into his lane.

42 year old Jerry Williamson died in St. Pete Beach in February of 2009 after crashing his Harley-Davidson motorcycle into a car that turned into his lane.

19 year old Benjamin Mower was killed in Zephyrhills in March of 2009 after he crashed his Suzuki motorcycle into a car that turned into his lane.

The reason for the increasing number of deaths nationally is unclear. Some say it's the increase in the number of motorcycle riders. Tampabay.com quoted The U.S. Transportation Department statistics that 350,000 motorcycles were sold in 1997 and 1.2 million motorcycles were sold in 2006 to prove the point. Some say that motorcycle riders are hard to see. Others, like Steve Gaskins, the Hillsborough County spokesman for the Florida Highway Patrol, blame the motorcycle riders. He was apparently was quoted as saying "...many of them are driving recklessly."

The reason Florida leads the Nation in Motorcycle deaths is also unclear. However, several factors probably play a role. First, Florida is one of the biggest states so it has a large number of motorcycle riders. Second, the whether here is warm most of the year so there is more time to ride. Third, Florida is one of several states that does not require helmets while riding so people that may otherwise have lived through a crash may suffer head trauma that takes their life.

Scott Distasio
Tampa motorcycle accident lawyer

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HELPING INJURED PEOPLE
OFFICES: TAMPA
888-595-0022

Approximately 1500 car accidents occur in Bradenton, Manatee County Florida each year. Currently, the local government pays about $150,000.00 per year to direct traffic, investigate, and come to conclusions regarding the cause of these accidents. According to a story posted at www.baynews9.com, If Bradenton Police Chief Michael Radzilowski has his way, the cost for such services will be shifted to the driver the police determine was at fault in the Bradenton auto accident. The ultimate decision to move forward with the idea rests with the Bradenton City Counsel. Apparently, 16 other cities and or counties currently have some form of cost recovery program in place.

The plan in Bradenton involves using a private company called Cost Recovery Corporation to partner with the Bradenton police department to help collect the costs. The Bay News 9 article claims Cost Recovery corporation believes 50 percent of auto insurance companies will pay the costs on behalf of the at fault driver.

The idea has some appeal for several reasons. It may create revenue the police can use toward their primary purpose of law enforcement and it may shift the cost of negligent driving conduct from the taxpayers to the at fault driver. However, it is unclear that the program will actually achieve these goals. Often, what looks like a savings in one area can become a cost in another area.

For example, over time, at fault drivers and their insurance companies will have an increased incentive to fight the police investigators conclusions regarding fault. The cost associated with fighting the conclusions will be born directly by the courts set up to handle traffic tickets and indirectly by the police officers time needed to attend these proceedings. These costs to government may very well outweigh any increase in revenue the police receive from the program.

In addition, insurance companies work in part by shifting costs from one person to everyone that is paying premiums. To the extent the at fault drivers insurance company pays the costs, they may overtime shift some of those costs to all of their policy holders in the form of higher premiums.

I do not know the answers to these questions. Hopefully the Bradenton City counsel will endeavor to answer the questions themselves before making the decision on whether to go forward with the program.

Scott Distasio
Bradenton auto accident lawyer

DISTASIO LAW FIRM
HELPING INJURED PEOPLE
OFFICES TAMPA
888-595-0022

The Florida legislature is scrambling to make up for the state's budget deficit. It appears that one of the ways the state plans to do so is to raise the cost of most traffic citations. According to www.tbo.com, Governor Charlie Christ signed into law a bill that has $2.5 billion in spending cuts. Part of the bill includes statewide mandatory minimum increases to traffic fines for all types of automobile related conduct. The bill became law Sunday January 31, 2009

Under the new law, driving 10 to 14 mph above the speed limit has gone up to a minimum of $191; driving 15 mph to 19 mph over the limit has gone up to a minimum of $241; driving 20 mph up to 29 mph over the limit has gone up to a minimum of $266; and speeding in a school zone has gone up to $366. Many other traffic related infractions have gone up $10. The law also allows counties to add additional discretionary fees to the traffic fines.

Given the troubles in the economy, the fines will certainly be a hardship to many financially strapped families. However, maybe some good will come from it. Basic economic principles suggest that increasing fines has a deterrent effect on the fined conduct. Let's hope car accidents decrease as people work harder to obey the law to avoid the fines.

Scott distasio
Tampa auto accident attorney

DISTASIO LAW FIRM
HELPING INJURED PEOPLE
888-595-0022