VOLUSIA COUNTY, Fla. – If you’ve driven on Central Florida highways recently, you’ve likely noticed drivers weaving through traffic and speeding well above the limit. Law enforcement says you’re not imagining it — reckless driving has surged since the COVID-19 pandemic.
“It seems like since COVID that people’s reckless driving has increased,” said Chief Brian Henderson of the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office.
The consequences are deadly. Volusia County has already seen 50 traffic fatalities this year, nearly half of the 111 deaths recorded in all of 2024.
To combat this, Volusia County is joining law enforcement agencies across the Southeast United States for Operation Southern Slow Down, a crackdown on reckless drivers.
“They’re the most dangerous because they’re going the fastest,” Henderson said. “If you crash at that speed, you’re likely to seriously hurt yourself or someone else.”
Officers now have a powerful new tool: Florida’s super speeder law, which took effect July 1. Under this law, anyone driving over 100 mph or 50 mph above the speed limit can be arrested and fined.
[VIDEO: Florida new ‘super speeder’ law goes into effect]
“Previously, it was just a traffic citation or court date,” said Trooper Migdalisis Garcia. “Now, with the law change, we can arrest high-speed drivers. This gives us a better toolbox to impact dangerous behavior.”
The law is already being enforced. Over the weekend, a man was arrested in Brevard County for going 106 mph on a motorcycle on Eau Gallie Causeway.
Law enforcement will be watching closely for drivers who put others at risk with reckless speed.
“We are educating drivers about the law change so officers can use discretion during traffic stops,” Garcia said.
Law enforcement will be out targeting these speeders during the operation from July 14 to July 19.
[VIDEO: Trooper Steve On Patrol talks avoiding aggressive drivers]