During a June 11, 2025 appearance on The Rubin Report, Governor DeSantis referenced Florida’s HB1 law, which was passed in 2021 and includes provisions related to public demonstrations and road safety.
“If someone surrounds your vehicle and you believe your life is at risk, you can get out—even if someone gets hurt,” DeSantis said, citing the law’s self-defense protections for drivers caught in potentially dangerous crowd situations.
HB1 does allow for civil immunity in specific circumstances where a driver is trying to escape a riot and believes their life is in danger. However, legal experts quickly pointed out that the law does not provide blanket immunity. Drivers may still face criminal charges—such as reckless driving or assault—if the incident is deemed excessive or unjustified.
