The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is in the midst of a growing controversy about the dangers of cell phone usage while driving. In 2003 a federal agency proposed a study of the risks of using cell phones while driving. They felt multitasking behind the wheel was becoming a growing danger to drivers. The NHTSA never commissioned the study. (read more)
The New York Times requested documents under the Freedom of Information Act about the proposed study and the NHTSA is now saying the study was not conducted because the agency was worried about angering Congress. Clarence Ditlow is the director of the Center of Auto Safety and he is alleging a cover-up of a problem that “could be as bad as drunk driving”. Estimates have the number of fatalities caused by cell phone users on America’s road total nearly 1000 and there have been 240,000 accidents since 2002.
If you have been cited for a traffic violation in Tampa or have been involved in any crime in Hillsborough County, please do not hesitate to contact Tampa Ticket Attorney Stephen Higgins, Esq. at 1-800-FIGHT-IT to discuss the matter. Also you can contact Stephen by stopping in our new Tampa office located at 3426 W. Kennedy Blvd.
Monthly Archives: July 2009
HERNANDO COUNTY DUI BLOG: Two Suspected Drunk Drivers Arrested In Hernando County
A driver who was headed southbound in the northbound lanes of U.S. 19 and a woman weaving in traffic were both arrested on suspicion of Driving Under the Influence in separate incidents in Hernando County. William Lyons, 30, was pulled over for driving the wrong way on Commercial Way and reportedly posted a blood alcohol level of .188. (read more)
The second arrest involved 28-year-old Michelle Kazakowitz. She was spotted slamming on her brakes and weaving by an off-duty firefighter who called authorities. Deputies found the woman’s car pulled off the road on Deltona Blvd. She was reportedly having trouble keeping her balance. She was arrested despite the fact her breath test returned negative results.
If you have been charged with a DUI Tampa, Hernando or Pinellas County, please do not hesitate to contact Hernando County DUI Lawyer David Haenel at 1-800-FIGHT-IT or online at fightyourpinellasdui.com to discuss the matter. Also you can contact David by stopping in our new Tampa office located at 3426 W. Kennedy Blvd or emailing him right here.
HILLSBOROUGH DUI BLOG: Drunk Driver Who Killed Five People Sentenced To 25 Years In Prison
Kenneth Stewart, a Lakeland resident, was sentenced to 25 years in prison and 10 years probation for a 2006 accident that killed five people. Stewart pleaded to five counts of DUI manslaughter and was sentenced Friday morning by Hillsborough Circuit Judge Robert Foster. (read more)
The sentencing should conclude a three-year process that began in April of 2006 when Stewart was driving his Dodge Durango around 3:00 a.m. when he collided with a car carrying guests who were in town for a wedding. Stewart apologized to more than a dozen relatives who were in court for the sentencing.
If you have been charged with a DUI in Tampa or Hillsborough County, please do not hesitate to contact Tampa DUI Lawyer David Haenel at 1-800-FIGHT-IT or online at fightyourtampadui.com to discuss the matter. Also you can contact David by stopping in our new Tampa office located at 3426 W. Kennedy Blvd.
DUI BLOG: Newly Proposed Federal Highway Bill Calls For Ignition Lock Devices For All Convicted DUI Drivers
A newly proposed Federal Highway Bill would place ignition interlock devices in the cars of all convicted drunk drivers. The goal is to prohibit past offenders from being able to start their car under the influence. The bill has sparked a debate between the American Beverage Institute and Mothers Against Drunk Driving.
In a series of editorials in the Tampa Tribune the two sides have sparred over the bill and the effects it would have. (read more) MADD takes the interesting approach of arguing the bill and its interlock ignition devices would be a benefit to people convicted of DUI using Florida as an example. Don Murray, Florida’s state director for MADD says that in the State of Florida a first time DUI conviction means a loss of one’s license for six months but under this bill the loss of the license may not be necessary due to the locks on the car’s ignition.
If you have been charged with a DUI in Tampa or Hillsborough County, please do not hesitate to contact Tampa DUI Lawyer David Haenel at 1-800-FIGHT-IT or online at fightyourtampadui.com to discuss the matter. Also you can contact David by stopping in our new Tampa office located at 3426 W. Kennedy Blvd.
TAMPA DUI BLOG: Tampa Man Charged With DUI After His Car Strikes Two Women On Spruce Street
Alian Marshall pleaded not guilty to DUI charges before Hillsborough Circuit Judge Denise Pomponio earlier this week. Marshall was charged with driving under the influence after police said his car struck two women trying to fix their car on Spruce Street in Tampa. (read more)
The accident occurred near the Tampa International Airport and police allege that Marshall drove his Cadillac into the back of a broken down Hyundai forcing the car forward and into the two women who were trying to get the vehicle fixed on the side of the road. Marshall ran from the scene of the accident on foot and then was struck by a car himself. Marshall’s car was registered to an aunt and the insurance on the vehicle ran out 23 minutes before the accident.
If you have been charged with a DUI in Tampa or Hillsborough County, please do not hesitate to contact Tampa DUI Attorney David Haenel at 1-800-FIGHT-IT or online at fightyourtampadui.com to discuss the matter. Also you can contact David by stopping in our new Tampa office located at 3426 W. Kennedy Blvd.
TAMPA TICKET BLOG: Florida Highway Patrol Trooper Claims He Was Fired For Writing Too Few Traffic Tickets
Former Florida Highway Patrol trooper Chris Maul is claiming to Tampa’s Bay News 9 that he was fired from his job with the FHP due to the fact that he did not write enough traffic tickets. Maul, who patrols the Tampa area, was on a probationary period with the FHP after a six-month leave. Prior to the six-month leave, Maul was on the job for 12 years. (read more)
In May Maul made four DUI arrests and 40 other arrests. His direct supervisor wrote to Maul to “keep up the good work” in his quarterly evaluation. Shortly after that evaluation Maul spoke to an FHP captain and according to the 44-year-old trooper he was told that his “activity was not going to cut it if he wanted to get off probation”. He was terminated in June.
If you have a traffic ticket in Tampa or anywhere in Hillsborough County, please do not hesitate to contact Tampa Ticket Attorney Stephen Higgins, Esq. at 1-800-FIGHT-IT or online at fightyourtampadui.com to discuss the matter. Also you can contact Stephen by stopping in our new Tampa office located at 3426 W. Kennedy Blvd.
Manatee County Sherriff’s Charge Palmetto Man With DUI In Fatal Accident
A fatal accident that left a pedestrian dead has led to a Palmetto man facing charges of DUI. Richard Kuykendall was driving his 2009 Chevy pickup on U.S. 41 in Bradenton on Sunday with his wife when he struck Sam Estep, a pedestrian. Estep was transported to Bayfront Medical Center in St. Petersburg where he died. (read more)
According to Manatee Sherriff’s Kuykendall told deputies he had consumed three alcoholic beverages prior to the 9:00 p.m. accident. He was then arrested on DUI charges and taken to Manatee County Jail.
If you have been charged with a DUI in Manatee or Sarasota counties, please do not hesitate to contact Sarasota DUI Lawyer Darren Finebloom at 1-800-FIGHT-IT or online at fightyourdui.com to discuss the matter. Also you can contact Darren by stopping in our Sarasota office located at 200 N. Washington Blvd.
Tampa And St. Petersburg Officials Fight With Florida’s Clerk Of Courts Over Rising Revenue From Traffic Fines
A rise in fines for traffic violations is somehow netting Florida cities less money at least that is the claim in Tampa and St. Petersburg. The reason is that a new law is allowing the state’s clerk of courts to withhold a larger portion of the increased fines and fees for their own use. (read more)
With budget cuts and shrinking state dollars available to cities all across the state, there is a real possibility that Florida’s cities could end up suing Florida’s clerks of the court in challenging this new law that went into effect July 1. The loss in revenue under the new law is significant. In St. Pete alone the city received almost $682,000 in ticket revenue last year. The city estimates there will be a six-figure drop in that revenue this fiscal year.
If you have a traffic ticket in Tampa or anywhere in Hillsborough County, please do not hesitate to contact Tampa Ticket Attorney Stephen Higgins, Esq. at 1-800-FIGHT-IT or online at fightyourtampadui.com to discuss the matter. Also you can contact Stephen by stopping in our new Tampa office located at 3426 W. Kennedy Blvd.
Tampa Traffic Stop Ends With Sergeant In The Hospital
A traffic stop in the Groves subdivision in Land O’Lakes early Monday morning ended with Pasco Sergeant Bill McVey in the hospital. Pasco County deputies are looking for the man McVey pulled over who allegedly knocked the sheriff’s sergeant unconscious. (read more)
The sergeant stopped a car at approximately 2:30 a.m. when he suspected the occupants of the car of prowling. McVey recognized one of the people in the car as a Land O’Lakes man that is wanted on outstanding warrants. As McVey tried to arrest him he was hit on the head and knocked out. The suspect and another man ran off into the woods following the assault.
If you have a traffic ticket in Florida that led to felony charges, please do not hesitate to contact Criminal Defense Attorney Stephen Higgins, Esq. at 1-800-FIGHT-IT or online at fightyourtampadui.com to discuss the matter. Also you can contact Stephen by stopping in our new Tampa office located at 3426 W. Kennedy Blvd.
Florida’s Worst Drivers Will Be Sent Back To School If They Are Involved In Three Crash-Related Moving Violations
A new law in Florida will go into effect January 1, 2010 and it is aimed at the state’s worst drivers. Any motorist that is convicted of three crash-related moving violations in a three-year period will be required by law to take a behind-the-wheel education course and also pass a driving test. (read more)
The new law will start counting violations on January 1 so past incidents will not be factored in. There have already been 3,200 drivers isolated that would be affected by the new law. By the numbers this group is made up of mostly white, male drivers 40 years old or younger.
If you have been cited for a traffic offense in Florida, please do not hesitate to contact Florida Traffic Attorney Stephen Higgins, Esq. at 1-800-FIGHT-IT or online at fightyourticket.com to discuss the matter.