Lazaro Aleman
news@greenepublishing.com
Drivers caught speeding excessively in Florida now face criminal charges with stepped-up penalties.
Florida's "Super Speeder Law", which went into effect on July 1, targets drivers whose speed exceeds the set limits by 50 mph or more, or who speed 100 mph or more. The law essentially shifts violations from civil infractions to criminal charges, with the applicable penalties ranging from steep fines to jail time or both.
Per the new law, first-time offenders can get up to 30 days in jail and/or a $500 fine. Subsequent violations within a five-year period can result in up to 90 days in jail, a $1,000 fine, and the suspension of the driver’s license.
The new law seeks to curtail speeding-related accidents and fatalities, which have been increasing in Florida in recent years. Since the new law went into effect, the Florida Highway Patrol reports that it has already made multiple arrests, as those exceeding the speed limit by 50 mph or more are required to make a court appearance.
The law allows enforcement officers the discretion to assess civil penalties for drivers whose excess speed is 30 mph or more over the limit. The bottom line, however, is that even drivers who do not reach the "super speeder" threshold will still face consequences for speeding.
Florida is not the only state to crack down on extreme speeders who treat the highways as their personal racetracks. Virginia, which doesn’t have a Super Speeder law per se, hits drivers with a reckless driving charge for going just 20 mph over the speed limit—or above 85 mph. Georgia reportedly applies the super speeder label to drivers who go 75 mph or more on two-lane roads, or who do 85 mph or more on any road, with an extra $200 state fee imposed on top of the regular fine.
In Florida, the new law applies whether it’s a rural road or a six-lane freeway. If the speed climbs high enough, it constitutes reckless driving in the eyes of the law, with a mandatory court appearance and possible jail time. Nor are tourists exempt from the new law. If they are found speeding, they too will suffer the consequences.
Florida officials attribute the new law in large part to the increase in speed-related fatalities across the country and in the state, in particular. They note that as a result of the pandemic lockdown, when roads were emptier and enforcement down, more drivers began driving faster, with some reaching speeds of 110, 120 and even 130 mph. The intent of the new law, officials say, is to cool this dangerous trend before it escalates further.