Starting July 1, Florida will begin enforcing a strict new law that targets extreme speeding offenses. Drivers caught exceeding 100 mph or going 50 mph over the posted speed limit may now face jail time, in addition to hefty fines and possible license suspension.
Signed by Governor Ron DeSantis, the law is being positioned as a move to improve public safety — but it has already stirred legal and political debate.
What the New Law Says
The law applies to drivers who:
- Exceed the posted speed limit by 50 mph or more, or
- Drive at 100 mph or more in a way that endangers people or property
First-time offenders:
- Fine: Up to $500
- Jail time: Up to 30 days
- Mandatory court appearance
Repeat offenders:
- Fine: Up to $1,000
- Jail time: Up to 90 days
- License suspension: Up to 1 year
Motorists caught under these conditions must appear in court, even for a first offense — a move intended to underscore the seriousness of the violation.
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The Tragedy Behind the Law
The legislation was inspired by the 2022 death of 11-year-old Anthony Reznick, who was killed while crossing the street in a crosswalk. The driver, Samentha Toussaint, had over 24 traffic violations, a suspended license, and was reportedly going 85 mph in a residential zone — without headlights.
Despite these facts, Toussaint faced no criminal charges. Her sentence included license suspension, community service, and a fine — but no jail time. This sparked public outrage and calls for harsher penalties in similar future cases.
Legal Concerns and Criticism
Not everyone is on board with the law. State Representative Mike Gottlieb, a Republican, voiced serious concerns about its constitutionality and practicality.
“It’s constitutionally overbroad,” he told WFLA. “It’s incredibly invasive. It’s going to clog our court systems… It’s not well thought out.”
Critics argue the law may:
- Overwhelm already congested Florida courts
- Create legal ambiguity in defining “endangerment”
- Risk disproportionately affecting lower-income drivers
A Pattern of Traffic Crackdowns
This is not Florida’s first recent move against reckless driving. In one county, school zone speed cameras generated nearly $600,000 in fines in just three weeks, showing a growing statewide effort to tighten traffic enforcement.
Final Thoughts
With more aggressive laws like this one, Florida joins a national trend of cracking down on extreme speeding. Whether it improves safety or simply overburdens the legal system remains to be seen. What’s certain is that speeding at 100+ mph in Florida could now land you behind bars — and in front of a judge.
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