TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – A new Florida bill is putting extreme speedsters right in its crosshairs.
The bill (SB 1782) was filed in February, and it seeks to amend state statutes regarding the crime of reckless driving.
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Under this bill, the following scenarios could result in charges of reckless driving:
- If a driver is going at least 50 mph over the speed limit
- If a driver is going over 100 mph while passing another car or changing lanes
- If a driver operates a car on any roadway other than a limited-access highway (i.e. interstates, freeways) and goes at least 35 mph over the speed limit
The bill would also require drivers cited for speeding over 50 mph above the limit to appear before a designated official at a mandatory hearing.
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Under current law, those found guilty of reckless driving face fines of up to $500 and 90 days in jail for a first conviction.
However, subsequent convictions can yield fines of up to $1,000 and six months’ imprisonment.
In addition, drivers who continue to excessively speed within five years of a conviction may have their driver’s license revoked for at least six months — and up to a year at max.
A previous version of the bill included a provision allowing law enforcement to impound a driver’s vehicle for 30 days if used to recklessly drive, as well as harsher penalties for convictions. However, lawmakers ultimately decided to cut those rules out of the proposal.
The bill was approved by a unanimous committee vote on Tuesday, though it still needs to pass through one more committee before it can go before the full Senate.
Meanwhile, a House version of the bill is slated for its final committee vote on Thursday morning.
If approved and signed into law, the bills will take effect on July 1.