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When roads become rivers, some neighbors said it's not always Mother Nature to blame for flooded homes.
"It's been very frustrating for our residents," Vanessa Pugliese, Riviera Bay Neighborhood Association president, said.
Now, a bill in the works aims to prevent drivers from causing wakes on already flooded streets. It's potential legislation being drafted in St. Pete but may soon have a ripple effect statewide.
The bill being drafted by state Rep. Lindsay Cross (D-St. Petersburg) and state Sen. Nick DiCeglie (R-St. Petersburg) would empower local governments to set their own rules and enforce them when it comes to the issue.
The goal is to educate people about the effects of causing wakes but could potentially lead to a citation or fine.
"It's just giving local governments another tool if they feel it's right for their community and it has the support from their law enforcement to proactively create an ordinance to allow them to regulate slower speed zones during times when roads are flooded," Cross said.
The city of St. Pete isn't slowing down when it comes to taking action.
City council leaders are set to discuss a resolution supporting the proposed legislation, if it passes, during its Thursday meeting.
MORE: https://www.wtsp.com/article/news/politics/florida-bill-ban-speeding-flooded-roads-wake/67-467e399d-8269-44ee-b1c9-3ef59fe03453