If Personal Injury Protection (PIP) reform legislation does notpass both Florida chambers and get signed into law next year, itwon't be for lack of trying. A variety of organizations have signedon to promote the much-needed legislation—I must get a couple ofemails a day from groups and individuals campaigning for the issue.Frankly, I thought the reforms proposed during the 2011 sessionwould breeze through the Legislature, but the trial lawyers and PIPmedical clinic owners drove them into the ditch. Supporters seemeven more aggressive and better organized now, so perhaps their newstrategies and renewed resolve will carry the day. (For oneperson's opinion on how to handle the problem, see RichardParrillo, Sr.'s article, "A Solution to PIP Fraud," on page16.)

And if the numerous PIP bills in the pipeline for 2012 are notenough to get people's engines running, there are several otherdriving-related bills that are guaranteed to rev them up. Here's alook at some of them, along with my very personal views of whatlawmakers should do.

SB416 HB299—The legislation prohibits operation of a motor vehiclewhile using a wireless communications device for certain purposes(with some exceptions). It also specifies information that isadmissible as evidence of a violation; provides for enforcement asa secondary action; and provides that points be assessed against adriver's license for unlawful use of a wireless communicationsdevice resulting in a crash.

HB187—The bill bans the use of handheld cellular telephones andrelated electronic communications devices by drivers 18 years oldand younger. School bus drivers also are prohibited from textingand talking while behind the wheel.

  HB 39—The billrequires a person cited for moving violation while using a handheldmobile telecommunications device to appear before a designatedofficial; it also provides additional penalties.

My view: It's about time we pass some laws to rein in thegrowing tendency to treat the driver's seat like a barcalounger.Florida is one of only a few states with no limits on textmessaging and talking on mobile phones while driving. Despite thegrowing data on the dangers—in Broward County, distracted drivingwas the leading cause of fatal traffic accidents in 2010—the 2011Legislature rejected or ignored all bills that sought to limitdrivers' use of cell phones and text messaging devices. Perhapssupporters will fare better in 2012.

SB244 HB159—Often referred to as "The Road Rage Bill," the legislationcreates a Highway Safety Act that requires a driver to yield theleft lane when being overtaken on a multilane highway; revises anumber of specified acts necessary to qualify as an aggressivecareless driver; and requires the Department of Highway Safety and MotorVehicles to provide information about the Highway Safety Act indriver's license educational materials.

My view: Supporters have been trying for years to get a versionof this passed and signed. In 2005, Gov. Jeb Bush vetoed SB 732, saying that drivers blocking the left lane are"cautious and careful." I guess if you are riding in a limo withtinted windows…. (Personally, I favor the proposal put forth by thelate great George Carlin: Give everyone a dart gun with thosesuction cup darts that they can shoot at offensive drivers. When acar has a certain number of darts stuck to it, police get to pullit over and ticket the driver for being a jerk.)

Lawmakers convene on Jan. 10, 2012. Start your engines!