Jacksonville---If you drink and drive don't come to Florida or you might find yourself hitching a ride home. A new law went into effect on January 1 letting police seize automobiles from people whose licenses are suspended for a previous drunk driving conviction if they are being arrested on yet another count of driving under the influence.
In the past six months the Florida Highway Patrol has seized 91 automobiles worth a total of $521,000. Maj. Grady Carrick, commander of the Florida Highway Patrol in northeast Florida said potential seizures will help keep repeat offenders from threatening others by driving drunk.
"In today's society, if you take people's cars away from them they can't function." Carrick stated. "Hopefully, that will be the thing that deters them."
Once a vehicle is formally seized forfeiture proceedings begin in civil court. If a court grants the forfeiture, police can sell the car and keep 30% of the net proceeds. The remaining 70% is deposited into the state's general fund for use by a state program which helps people get off welfare.
Applause for the State of Florida for doing more than cluck-clucking about the problem of drunks behind the wheel. A drunk who has forfeit a vehicle might one day get sober, get another license and automobile. People drunks kill while driving under the influence will not get a second chance to live.