Note the ranking of Insurance contributions to the candidates who claimed this session (and some in past sessions) to be our, motorcyclists, "Friends." Excluding "loopy" Lopez of course who we only include for his extraordinary ability to scam the ABATE of Florida president/lobbyist, in our opinion (we adds that to keep from getting sued), last session and lack of cajones to admit he was wrong!
Figures obtained from "Follow the Money"
Senator (R) Rudy Garcia Florida, 2006 funding .
Which is really interesting since the candidate was the incumbent and ran "unopposed"
2006 figures are used as Garcia is not running in 2008
FIGURE A: Sector Breakdown
Representative (R) Greg Evers
FIGURE A: Sector Breakdown
VILLALOBOS, J ALEX
FIGURE A: Sector Breakdown
Representative Carlos Lopez-Cantera (R)
FIGURE A: Sector Breakdown
Based on our post here: Are Florida legislators guilty of willful and wanton negligence resulting in death?
These figures can not be considered accurate as they do not include the illegal money our legislators have manufactured means to obtain.
Now why is it that 3 of the major players in involved in Sponsoring bills that have the potential to cut down on crashes that result in serious injury or death can not get the job done? After all, would you not think that that getting such laws passed would be pleasing to their major contributors, i.e. the insurance companies?
Why is it that we can not get any laws passed to address, not just those who negligently seriously injure or kill others through row violations but also distracted driving, or cell phone use. Activities that have been proven to add to the carnage on the killing fields we refer to as Florida's highways?
Could it be that the insurance companies actually make money off of crashes? Consider the following from: Florida Public Health Review, 2008; 5: 1-7 written by Barbara Langland-Orban, Ph.D., MSPH. Etienne E. Pracht, Ph.D. and John T. Large, PhD. Entitled:
Red Light Running Cameras: Would Crashes, Injuries and Automobile
Insurance Rates Increase If They Are Used in Florida?
Which states in the opening:
However, comprehensive studies conclude cameras actually increase crashes and injuries, providing a safety argument not to install them. Presently, Florida statutes do not permit red light camera evidence to be used as the sole basis for ticketing drivers for violating the law. Legislation to permit camera citations has been proposed since the 1990s, but none has passed to date. This paper explains red light running trends in Florida; effective solutions to reduce red light running; findings from major camera evaluations; examples of flawed evaluations; the automobile insurance financial interest in cameras; and the increased likelihood of even higher crash and injury rates if cameras are used in Florida due to the high percent of elderly drivers and passengers. The theory behind red light cameras as potentially effective is that they rely on deterring red light running primarily through punishment of a specific driving behavior and secondarily by changing drivers’ experience. Because the rigorous and robust studies conclude that cameras are associated with increased crashes and costs, any economic analysis of cameras should include these newly generated costs to the public. Indirect costs to the public are usually not considered in the calculation of total revenues and profits generated from red light cameras. Florida should be cautious in using traffic safety information from the automobile insurance industry. Insurance financial goals are to increase their revenues and profits, which do not necessarily include reducing traffic crashes, injuries or fatalities. Also, public policy should avoid conflicts of interest that enhance revenues for government and private interests at the risk of public safety.The Florida legislature is aware of this information. If not, then they have been negligent in their duties as legislators and should be held accountable for every death that occurs as a result of "red light camera's." So what action is the Florida legislature taking?
Florida Public Health Review, 2008; 5: 1-7
Legislature green-lights red-light camera plan
TALLAHASSEE - State legislators are swiftly moving to curb red-light runners via surveillance cameras, while simultaneously gaining a healthy revenue stream to local and state coffers.
Maximum fines for running red lights would be set at $150 -- with the state taking a $30 cut and the rest going to local governments who, thus far, have been able to keep the entire fine.Operative words:
"while simultaneously gaining a healthy revenue stream to local and state coffers."
This despite the following:
Florida DOT Confirms Use of Red Light Cameras Illegal
Improper Use of Florida Red Light Cameras for Profit., page 1
Florida Red Light Camera Law Doesn't Care Who's Driving: Car Owner ...
But then go back to our financial contribution charts for our friendly "Biker/Safety advocates" and see where "lawyers" fall on the list of givers because this legislation is going to be a boon to them.Now motorcycles will be at high risk in the resultant crashes. And who voted "Yea" on the passage of this law? You got it, Representative Evers
Senator Garcia is listed as voting Nay, and Villalobos is listed as not voting period in a number of places. But then if you do not show up you can't vote, i.e. take a stand, make a commitment, follow through on your word, etc. But then he is an attorney. Scroll up and see who contributed most to him?
And as if our elected representatives have not done enough to insure that all our lives will be in even more jeopardy add to the evidence:
Florida Bills Limiting Cell Phone Use By Drivers Hit Dead End
Several bills that would have restricted drivers who talk or text message on their cell phones appear to be headed toward a dead end in the Florida Legislature.We ourselves among others have e-mailed and hand delivered to each and every representative and Senator the evidence that use of wireless communications devices while driving is at least equal to "DUI". Obviously with little to no impact.
The bills would have banned drivers from sending text messages and required them to use a hands free device while talking on their cell phone. There were also bills that would have made it illegal to use a cell phone in a school zone or for drivers under age 18 to use them.
None of the bills is expected to pass as the Legislature is focused on the budget with Friday's deadline to end the session.
Proponents pointed to several fatal accidents linked to cell phone usage in an attempt to push the bills. Six states ban the use of hand-held cell phones behind the wheel. Text messaging while driving is banned in 10 states.
Copyright 2009 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
During the 19 years of the Vietnam war 58,209 soldiers were killed (does not include MIA)
303, 635 were wounded in action
Using 2006 figures from the Florida dept of Highway Safety as a baseline in 19 years you would
arrive at a figure of 63, 935 traffic fatalities and 4,083,366 injured or wounded in action.
(Note: these numbers are arrived at using 2006 figures and are only an approximation for comparison)
In other words WE ARE TRULY IN A WAR and the Florida legislators are our enemy! The difference is in wars you die for a cause, in Florida you die to enrich the legislators.Add to Technorati Favorites
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