Law Humor

Florida Driver Cited For Speeding, 49 Or So Other Violations

By Kevin Underhill

Laying a claim to the title of World's Worst Driver, or maybe just Least Likely to Be Allowed to Ever Drive Again, 46-year-old Elvis Barrett racked up approximately 50 traffic citations in a brief period on the morning of February 5.  Police in Boynton Beach, Florida, wrote the citations, probably working in teams so that one officer could rest while another continued to write, after Barrett led them on a high-speed chase.

One report said that Barrett faces additional charges from police in Delray Beach, through which he also passed during the chase, so that number may rise.

The spree began when a Boynton Beach officer attempted to stop Barrett at about 7:30 a.m. that morning for some sort of infraction, although exactly which one came first now appears to be lost in the mists of time.  Police said Barrett refused to stop and instead continued south into Delray Beach.  When police there joined the chase, Barrett reversed course and headed back to Boynton Beach, apparently with officers making notes as to all his traffic violations along the way.  The chase finally ended after Barrett lost control of his vehicle and hit a fence.

Although I have not yet seen a complete list, the infractions included at least:

• failing to stop when ordered;
• speeding;
• running red lights;
• making improper lane change(s);
• fleeing;
• eluding (may be part of a single charge called "fleeing and eluding");
• failure to yield;
• failure to wear a seatbelt;
• driving against traffic;
• making an illegal U-turn;
• leaving the scene of an accident; and, unsurprisingly,
• reckless driving and
• being a "habitual traffic offender."

I guess it is somewhat surprising that they are still calling him a "habitual traffic offender," though, because in his case that seems like calling Michael Jordan a "basketball player" -- he has transcended the category.  That's because, reportedly, Barrett's driver's license has been revoked six times before and has been suspended another 28 times.  Just a suggestion, but maybe it is time to take it away entirely?

Police also found crack cocaine in the car, which won't help his situation any.

Link: South Florida Sun-Sentinel

Full post as published by Lowering the Bar on February 06, 2009 (boomark / email).