No, just another bogus e-mail, like the one I received this afternoon from a friend of mine who spends her days in a cubicle:
Subject: FW: Please be aware
These are new fines that were implemented on 8/1/07 for the State of Florida:
• As of 08/01/07 cell phone use must be "hands free" while driving. Ticket is $285. They will be looking for this like crazy — easy money for police department.
• Cell phone use in the construction zone. Double fine as of 08/01/07. Cell phone use must be "hands free" while driving.
• Carpool lane — 1st time $1,068.50 starting 8/1/07 (The $271 posted on the highway is old). Don't do it again because 2nd time is going to be double, 3rd time triple and 4th time license suspended.
• Incorrect lane change — $380. Don't cross the lane on solid lines or intersections. Block intersection — $485.
• Driving on the shoulder — $450.
• Passengers over 18 not in their seatbelts – both passengers and drivers get tickets.
• Speeders can only drive 3 miles above the limit.
• DUI (Driving under Influence=JAIL and stays on your driving record for 10 years!)
But like most e-mails circulated in offices across the country, this one is BS. (Thanks to my favorite resources for all e-mail rumors: snopes.com.)
Although it’s probably needed, there are no state laws against cell phone use. Most of the other items listed on the e-mail are true infractions, but the amounts of fines are false.
If you’re still curious, the state traffic laws are here.
This article appears in Aug 8-14, 2007.