For more than 25 years, I have worked to make Florida’s roads safer. My mission began after my 14-year-old daughter, Dori, died in a 1996 crash that claimed five young lives.
During my 12 years in the Florida Legislature, I learned that traffic safety is not a Republican or Democratic issue. It is a human issue.
Leaders from both parties helped me pass legislation, including former Florida House Speaker Marco Rubio, a Republican; U.S. Rep. Lois Frankel, a Democrat and many others. Rubio even brought my legislation directly to the House floor, bypassing the committee process. We shared one goal: saving lives.
Together, we advanced seat belt legislation, driver education and roadway safety. I championed Turnpike guardrail barriers and the Dori Slosberg Driver Education Safety Act. The latter has generated more than $80 million through a $5 traffic penalty assessment adopted in 57 counties, supporting driver education.
That bipartisan history makes Gov. Ron DeSantis’ recent decisions particularly disappointing.
In 2025, he vetoed Dori Saves Lives $100,000 for Teen Safe Driving Education Programs, sponsored by Rep. Peggy Gossett-Seidman and then-Sen. Randy Fine. In 2026, he vetoed another $50,000, sponsored by Gossett-Seidman and Sen. Gayle Harrell.
Both appropriations passed the Legislature. Together, the vetoes eliminated $150,000 intended to educate young drivers.
Dori Saves Lives, the nonprofit founded in my daughter’s memory, has conducted school assemblies for approximately two decades. Our educational films and real-life stories address distracted driving, speeding, impairment and seat belt use.
The funding would have expanded our programs beyond Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties into Martin, St. Lucie and Brevard counties. Dori Saves Lives was prepared to contribute 50% of the funding.
In October alone, we educated approximately four hundred students at Oxbridge Academy West Palm and 365 at MAST Academy in Miami. That is 765 teenagers reached through two visits.
Another concerning decision followed. In June 2026, DeSantis vetoed Senate Bill 382, addressing electric bicycle and micromobility safety. Sponsored by Senator Keith Truenow, with co-sponsors Tom Leek and Clay Yarborough, it passed unanimously: 37–0 in the Senate and 112–0 in the House.
The bill proposed pedestrian safeguards, improved crash-data collection and a micromobility safety task force. Both parties unanimously supported it, but DeSantis vetoed it.
Florida’s trauma centers are reporting an alarming rise in serious injuries involving electric bikes and scooters. These crashes are placing a growing burden on our hospitals, underscoring the urgent need for stronger safety measures and statewide legislation.
Governors must scrutinize legislation and spending, and reasonable people can disagree. But protecting young drivers, pedestrians and other vulnerable road users should transcend politics.
For two decades, Dori Saves Lives has witnessed the impact of traffic safety education firsthand. We remain committed to reaching more students.
I hope Florida’s new governor prioritizes road safety and bipartisan cooperation.
Because a child’s life has no political affiliation. Neither should traffic safety.
Irving L. Slosberg served 12 years in the Florida House representing southern Palm Beach County and is chairman of Dori Saves Lives, a nonprofit organization dedicated to preventing traffic fatalities through education and advocacy. For more information: Instagram @dorisaveslives and Dorisaveslives.org.
©2026 Miami Herald.
