Lawmakers have cracked down on drivers who participate in street races or perform stunts.
Drivers in Florida were forced to slam on the brakes after a new law was signed by the state’s governor, Ron DeSantis.
This means that drivers who are caught by police officers speeding, performing stunts or dominating public roads will be punished with heavy fines and potentially prison time.
The law will go into effect July 1, with fines ranging from $1,000 to $2,000.
If brazen drivers commit two felonies within 12 months, a third-degree felony could be charged, resulting in up to five years in prison and fines of up to $5,000.
Repeated offenses within five years can be elevated to second-degree felonies, resulting in up to 15 years in prison.
This also includes offenders who carry out a coordinated street takeover – where 10 or more vehicles co-opt to take over an entire street.
Irv Slosberg, a former state representative and founder and president of the nonprofit highway safety organization Dori Saves Lives, praised the new legislation but argued that more needs to be done by state officials.
“It’s a good start,” he said.
“However, I think the next step should be somewhere where these kids, or whoever, need a place to race their cars.
“I would tend to think the state and county should invest in something like this.
“And also, they need to take an advanced driver’s education course specifically addressing drag racing and the kind of disastrous effect it can have on our community when it’s on our streets and highways.”
State Senator Jason Pizzo criticized offenders for fostering “an incredibly dangerous environment” and pointed to the tragic cases of their young victims.
“Street racing, more importantly, street takeovers are a real problem,” Pizzo said at a hearing before the Senate Transportation Committee.
“People are dying, people are being seriously injured and it is a very coordinated and organized scheme, especially among 16 to 29 year olds in the state of Florida.”
According to the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, officers have issued nearly 10,000 citations for street racing and stunts over the past five years.
Local law enforcement agencies said they are hopeful that the increased penalties will act as an additional deterrent for aspiring pilots and stunt drivers.
“Overall, anything to strengthen the penalties for this activity will help us dissuade people from continuing this dangerous behavior,” said West Palm Beach police spokesman Mike Jachles, whose agency in 2023 formed a force -task in response to residents’ concerns about reckless driving. inside the city.
“We’re very pleased with this,” Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office spokeswoman Teri Barbera said of the new law. “While we are not seeing the same issues that other counties are having, we believe the increased penalties will help.”
This comes after four people were arrested – three 20-year-olds and a 22-year-old – and a car was impounded in connection with a street takeover incident in Tampa earlier this month.
FLORIDA STREET RACING CLAMPDOWN
Governor Ron DeSantis signed SB 1764 into law – which will target ‘coordinated’ events where 10 or more vehicles are involved in street occupations.
This will increase fines and potential jail time for people who participate.
Under the bill, maximum fines for first-time offenses will increase from $1,000 to $2,000.
Repeated offenses within five years can be elevated to second-degree felonies, resulting in up to 15 years in prison.
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