LEE COUNTY, Fla.- A bill is sitting in the Florida Senate that, if passed would make it a criminal offense to seriously injure a motorcyclist. It's known as the Stiffer Penalties Bill.

"She loved to ride motorcycles." An evening ride on the back of a motorcycle would be Doug McGill's girlfriend Janine Becker's last.

"We stopped at a stoplight for a red light. And got hit from behind. The guy was doing 50 to 60 miles an hour while we were stopped," remembered McGill.

The driver never faced manslaughter charges. "It's just a slap in my face you know," said McGill.

Senate Bill 1754 is sitting in the state Senate. If passed it would provide criminal penalties for a driver who causes serious bodily injury or death to a motorcyclist.
 
"If you're following too closely the fine is maybe $100, but with this is an increased penalty for causing serious bodily injury," said attorney Michael

The bill states causing serious bodily injury translates to a second degree misdemeanor, and means a paying fine, incarceration, and a loss of license.

Causing death is a first degree misdemeanor and comes with a higher fine, and more time behind bars.

The proposed bill wouldn't just add extra protection for motorcyclists, but also for other drivers, bicyclists and even pedestrians.

The group American Bikers Aiming Towards Education is pushing for its passage.

"In this state you pretty much kill somebody for $166 and get away with it. It's murder," said SWFL ABATE Chapter President Wayne Cerra.

At the very least, motorcyclists are asking drivers to stop distracted driving, and maybe, save a life.

American Bikers Aiming Towards Education tell WINK News they've been pushing for this bill for the last nine years and are frustrated it hasn't passed. 
    

If approved the new law would go into affect July 1st.