June 23, 2011

Today, Governor Rick Scott signed one of AIF’s top legislative priorities for 2011 into law – SB 142 Relating to Crashworthiness. This measure will effectively level the playing field for automobile manufacturers in crashworthiness cases.

Prior to the implementation of crashworthiness legislation, Florida was the only state in the nation that prohibited the introduction of any evidence relating to the driver’s condition at the time of an automobile crash when that driver is suing an auto manufacturer over the “crashworthiness” of the vehicle. Not giving the jury all the details, including a critical piece of information about the driver’s condition, is unfair and absurd. AIF commends Governor Scott for correcting this inequity that will now open the door to automotive manufacturing companies that previously had not considered Florida as a base of operation.

Furthermore, AIF would like to thank Representative Marlene O’Toole (R-The Villages) and Senator Garrett Richter (R-Naples) for their leadership on this issue. Under their direction, this measure was passed with the strongest protections possible for auto manufacturers.