VOLUSIA COUNTY, Fla. — Arizona’s “Stupid Motorist Law” could be coming to Volusia County.

>>> STREAM CHANNEL 9 EYEWITNESS NEWS LIVE <<<

It would force people to pay fines if they get stranded while driving through floodwaters during a storm.

Officials said the ordinance could cut down on unnecessary rescues. However, neighbors of one flood-prone area said when water started filling their homes during last fall’s hurricanes, driving away was their only option.

Cars stalled under several feet of floodwater was a common sight across Volusia County during Ian and Nicole. Rescue crews responded to hundreds of drivers in need of help.

WATCH: First of 2 back-to-back SpaceX launches blasts off, second launch delayed

Now, Volusia County may bill people if they drive past barricades and onto flooded roads.

At the next council meeting, time is carved out to discuss the law, which allows governments to charge drivers up to $2,000 for emergency response.

Niceie Bullock is not on board with the proposed change. She didn’t think her Daytona Beach home would flood last fall. And when it did, she didn’t have a lot of time to react.

READ: Chance of weekend storms to impact return of Leesburg Bikefest

“That is absurd,” she said. “Be fined for what? Because I am stuck? I need help? That is really crazy. They need to stop that.”

If passed in Volusia County, the ordinance wouldn’t financially impact city police departments, but New Smyrna Beach interim Chief Eric Feldman said it would still be beneficial by sending a message.

READ: Man accused of accepting package of cocaine to distribute in Central Florida

“I spent a lot of time in Arizona in my career, and I am very aware of the Stupid Motorist Law and why they enacted that,” Feldman said. “I could see why that would be effective in a case here in Florida.”

Feldman said the goal isn’t to punish people, it’s to protect them from getting stranded in the first place.

Video: Federal safety investigators explain railroad safety after train derailment (WFTV)

Click here to download the free WFTV news and weather apps, click here to download the WFTV Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.

©2023 Cox Media Group