SOUTH FLORIDA SUN-SENTINEL

Bill seeks to protect migrants in overcrowded farm vehicles

By Sandra Hernandez
Staff Writer

Florida legislators on Wednesday moved toward adopting a farm workers transportation bill aimed at curbing the number of deadly crashes involving vans used to take migrant laborers to work.

The House Agriculture Committee approved a bill, sponsored by Rep. Anne Gannon (D-Delray Beach) that would require owners or operators of vans and vehicles under 10,000 pounds to have adequate seat belts for all passengers, register with state officials and display a sticker.

Advocates insist the measure provides basic safety requirements. Car accidents are the leading work-related cause of death among Florida's farm workers, many of whom are undocumented and often ride in overcrowded and rundown cars to reach the fields.

"This is really a very modest measure that would allow for greater enforcement," said Rob Williams, head of Florida Legal Services Migrant Farm worker Justice Program.

In addition to registering the vans with the state, operators would be required to post signs in Spanish and English instructing workers to use seatbelts, as well as display a sticker that would alert highway patrol officers the van is used to transport farm workers.

Last year, at least 11 people died in accidents involving overcrowded minivans carrying farm workers. Two laborers were died on Interstate 95 in Martin County when the van they were traveling in overturned. Another nine farm workers were killed when 19 people crammed into a van and it crashed last April.

But the house bill is getting some resistance. Rep. Ralph Poppell (R-Titusville) successfully amended the measure to prevent farm workers from suing the vehicle's operator if a farm worker fails to use the seat belt and voted against including Creole in the signs asking workers to wear seatbelts.

"Why should the owner of the vehicle be held liable if the passenger chooses not to wear a seat belt," said Poppell, during the meeting of House Agriculture Committee.

Gannon, the bill's sponsor, vowed to have Poppell's amendment removed. "This bill is going to pass and will also include the Creole signs," said Gannon. The bill now goes before the house transportation committee.

Several migrants were at the hearings, including Maribel Salazar, a citrus worker who lives with her husband and children in Dade City.

"We don't have a license or car insurance so we have to rely on anyone who can get us to the fields," said Salazar. "You don't turn down a ride just because its crowded and most days it is."

The bill is modeled on a California program and is being duplicated elsewhere and uses outreach and education to prevent fiery deaths along highways.