Governor Ron DeSantis recently signed legislation into effect, instituting stricter penalties for offenders involved in illegal activities on the roads. These penalties now entail increased fines, potential incarceration, and the risk of license revocation, depending on the severity of the offense.
For a first-time offense, individuals may face a fine of up to $2,000 and a one-year license suspension, a notable increase from the previous fine of $1,000.
Repeat offenders within a year of their initial conviction face more severe consequences, including a third-degree felony charge and a fine of up to $4,000, with a potential license suspension of two years.
In cases where individuals knowingly impede the movement of emergency vehicles during street takeovers, they could be charged with a third-degree felony, carrying penalties of up to five years in prison and fines of up to $4,000.
The bill’s sponsor, State Senator Jason Pizzo, emphasized the necessity of these measures for public safety, particularly in addressing the alarming rise of street takeovers, which have led to fatalities and injuries across Florida.
Recent incidents, such as the arrest of four individuals in Tampa following a street takeover, underscore the urgency of addressing this issue.
In March, a similar incident occurred in Tampa, highlighting the persistence of this problem in certain areas.
The legislation also targets coordinated street takeovers involving 10 or more vehicles, classifying such actions as third-degree felonies with corresponding fines of up to $4,000 and a two-year license suspension.
Data from the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles reveal a concerning trend, with over 9,000 citations issued for street racing and stunt driving in the past five years, a significant portion of which occurred in Miami-Dade County. Additionally, the median age of offenders stands at 21 years old, indicating a particular demographic involved in these activities.
