ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (WFLA) — Two local lawmakers have proposed legislation to slow people down if they’re driving through flood waters in order to limit wakes in flood zones.

Senator Nick DiCeglie (R-Indian Rocks Beach) and Representative Lindsay Cross (D-St. Petersburg) filed the bills, showing bipartisan support for the idea.

It’s something many people have complained about during recent and older storms.

“I screamed at that one guy. I screamed at him as loud as I could. You know what happened? He stopped and goes, ‘Sorry’,” said Gary Grudzinskas.

But sorry doesn’t cut it when you’re left paying for the damages. Grudzinskas said he sees people driving through flood waters often in Shore Acres.

“I was standing right in that doorstep. And I was looking through. A Jeep came by fast, and I literally saw the wave go into my house,” Grudzinskas said. “That section of my house would not have had damage if it wasn’t for that one person driving by too fast.”

City and state leaders are backing a proposal to create a no vehicle wake flood zone legislation to protect public safety and property. The bill would allow localities governing the operation of boats and vehicles to limit wakes on flooded roadways.

“We had 1,200 homes flooded during (Hurricane) Idalia. I’m guessing a couple hundred of them would not have flooded if not for drivers and wakes,” said Kevin Batdorf, the Shore Acres Civic Association President.

Batdorf mentioned how during Hurricane Debby, there was enough water to fill up the streets, but not enough to flood homes.

“Until the maniacs get out there and they drive around, and they push water with a wake into those homes,” Batdorf said.

Batdorf and Grudzinskas, who was the former Shore Acres Civic Association President, have been fighting for this legislation for years. They admit it becomes tricky when trying to enforce it.

“We’ve been told that the police actually have to see it firsthand in order to write a citation or a violation,” Batdorf said.

St. Petersburg Police Chief Anthony Holloway provided the following statement:

“St. Petersburg Police Department supports the Vehicle Wakes bill, as it empowers communities to better address post-storm flood damage. By reducing the destructive impact of vehicle wakes during flooding, this legislation will help protect homes, businesses, and vital infrastructure, ensuring our neighborhoods recover more quickly and effectively after storms.”

Some residents want to see it done, because they are the ones left with the flood damage, not the people who they say potentially caused it.

“It’s like somebody invading your home and wrecking it,” Grudzinskas said.

News Channel 8 On Your Side asked Batdorf about first responders having to drive through floods to respond to a call for help. Batdorf said he understands they have to get to where they are going, but said they can’t cause damage doing it, so they are not exempt.

The bill is being referred to different state committees in the Senate.