SPEEDING FINES INCREASED IN “Enhanced Penalty Zones”

The Florida DOT has designated 3 parts of highway as enhanced penalty zones. One is a 6-mile stretch on I-95. Signs are now up and the fines will be an additional $50, starting May 1^st. Lawmakers wanted to create a pilot program through FDOT for enhanced penalty zones on state roads in areas with higher than average crash rates related to speeding. Fifty percent of the additional $50 fine will be allocated to the Health Care Administration to provide an enhanced Medicaid payment to nursing homes for brain and spinal cord injury among Medicaid patients. The other 50 percent of the fine will be given for financial support to certified trauma centers in the counties where enhanced penalty zones are established.

RECORD PROFITS IN 2006 FOR NATION’S PROPERTY/CASUALTY INSURERS
Industry net income rose to $63.7-BB in 2006 from $44.2-BB in 2005, according to the Property Casualty Insurers Assn. Most of the improvement, they said, was because of fewer catastrophic storms in 2006 than in 2005. Profits were also boosted by stronger underwriting gains, which are premiums minus losses and admin expenses. While a highly active hurricane season was predicted for 2006, it gave insurers much-needed time to recover from the six 2005 catastrophic hurricanes. Chief Economist, of the PCIAA, Genio Staranczak, said that insurers need to worry about future storms. Increased property values, growing population and a threat of more frequent and severe storms in high risk areas of the US create a financial problem the nation must deal with. Colorado State U experts predict that the 2007 Atlantic hurricane season will be very active with 9 hurricanes.