A crackdown on “super speeders” in Florida has resulted in hundreds of arrests, yet the new law has only been in force for four months.
News 6 began investigating these instances in July, and we’ve seen driver after driver put into jail for driving dangerously fast.
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Since July 1, Orange County deputies have arrested over 100 drivers for exceeding the speed limit by more than 50 miles per hour, or 100 mph.
At the end of October, the sheriff’s office reported 35 drivers who were clocked at 115 mph or higher, with several drivers also transporting children.
OCSO deputies detained more than 40 people in October alone, the most in any month this year, according to the department.
HB 351, the “Super Speeder” law that went into effect on July 1, created a new criminal crime under a state code titled “dangerous excessive speeding.”
The Seminole County Sheriff’s Office informs News 6 that its deputies have made 43 arrests under the “Super Speeder” rule so far, with 38 of those drivers charged with exceeding 100 mph.
According to court documents, two males were arrested this week in Seminole County after being pulled over for speeding. One individual was stopped shortly after 7 a.m. in the eastbound express lanes of I-4 in Altamonte Springs, where an officer estimated his speed to be 115 mph. He received seven citations, including for driving without registration, insurance, or a seatbelt.
Deputies intercepted the second motorist on S.R. 417 near Oviedo around 11 p.m., when he was clocked at 100 mph in a silver Honda. According to the police report, he was also cited for not possessing a license.
News 6 also contacted the State Attorney’s Office for the 18th Judicial Circuit, who informed them that 105 instances of dangerous excessive speeding had been filed since the new legislation went into effect.
These cases include:
- 37 in Seminole County
- 68 in Brevard County
A spokesperson provided additional insight on the 105 cases so far:
- 23 are now being prosecuted with misdemeanor charges officially filed.
- 10 closed with defendants adjudicated/sentenced.
- 68 under review for formal charges.
- 4 cases no-filed or changed to civil.
Of the 105 total instances, eight include an allegation of racing on the roadway.
A closer look at the 23 cases with filed charges:
- 6 cases also included a DUI charge.
- 4 cases also included a charge of fleeing and attempting to elude police.
- 1 case also includes a charge of racing on highways.
A first violation of “dangerous excessive speeding” can result in up to 30 days in jail and a $500 fine, according to the legislation.
A second offense may result in up to 90 days in prison and a $1,000 fine.
Furthermore, a repeat offense within five years may result in the revocation of the person’s driver’s license for up to a year.
