On July 1, a new traffic law will take effect in Florida. You are not permitted to exceed the posted speed limit on the route you are on by more than fifty miles per hour, which is known as the “super speed” legislation. Cross over?
That’s up to 30 days in jail, a $500 fine, and a required court appearance. Doesn’t that sound like so much fun now?
Hold on, because if you don’t learn the first time, you’ll have to learn the hard way—that means paying $1,000, spending 90 days in jail, and possibly losing your licence for a whole year.
This new legislation intends to significantly reduce the amount of road deaths caused by speeding, which is approximately 11% in a state like Florida. Curious about more?
Pressure from road safety organisations and the relatives of the victims led to the creation of the new law. The death of Anthony Reznick, age 11, who was struck by a driver with a criminal record who had never been arrested, marked a turning point.
The Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (DHSMV) has introduced this new regulation because they do not want this terrible occurrence to occur again.
The requirement that the cited motorist appear before a judge in person is the least of these. It will be determined during the initial hearing if a $500 fine is sufficient or if 30 days in jail is necessary.
“Breaking the psychological impunity” of paying and then leaving is the goal of this new approach.
A $1,000 fine and 90 days in jail are imposed on a driver who is stopped twice in a five-year period. A twelve-month licence suspension is another option available to the judge.
The DHSMV notes that the most common offenders are drivers aged 16 to 25. This new law is therefore anticipated to foster a culture of respect behind the wheel from a young age. Everyone has a claim to the road!
Read Also: New Ohio Law Ends 400,000+ License Suspensions, Grants Relief to Thousands
The law was immediately criticised by many locals, who claim that it is a “money-making machine” and that the fines will just enrich the state’s coffers rather than address the underlying issue.
However, even if the state’s coffers swell up, the main objective is to increase awareness and instill “fear” in drivers so they will reconsider speeding.
Other states have already implemented similar laws. Virginia and Georgia, for instance, have comparable policies. In Georgia, they were able to cut the number of fatalities from speeding by 14%.
What must be done prior to July 1st?
Absolutely nothing; simply follow the traffic markers wherever you are. Just drive carefully; you don’t need an additional policy or to get ready in any particular way.
And take caution—this also applies to professional truckers and platform drivers—because a fine like this could result in temporary work disqualification owing to licence suspension.
Beginning July 1, driving will be drastically altered in Florida. You now have to think about the $500 fines, the possibility of going to jail, and the risk to your licence if you want to reach your goal more quickly.
The preservation of life is the top goal. We all deserve to go home safely, so start considering relieving the pressure on the throttle pedal.
