New Florida Bill Would Impound Cars, Raise Fines for High-Speed Offenders

Miami Standard (Tallahassee, FL) – A new bill in Florida is targeting reckless drivers who exceed speed limits by significant margins. Filed late last month, Senate Bill 1782 (SB 1782) seeks to amend state statutes and impose stricter penalties on extreme speeding violations.

If passed, SB 1782 would categorize the following driving behaviors as reckless driving offenses:

Exceeding the speed limit by at least 50 mph
Driving over 100 mph while passing another vehicle or changing lanes
Driving at least 35 mph over the speed limit on non-limited-access roadways, such as local streets and highways

The bill also introduces tougher penalties for those convicted of reckless driving. A first-time conviction would carry a minimum fine of $1,000, while repeat offenses could result in fines of at least $2,500. Current law already includes potential prison time for reckless driving offenses.

In addition to monetary penalties, SB 1782 proposes vehicle impoundment for individuals cited for reckless driving. Under the proposed law, law enforcement officers could immediately impound a driver’s vehicle for 30 days if they meet the criteria outlined in the bill.

The legislation further proposes that drivers caught exceeding speed limits by 50 mph or more could face a six-month driver’s license revocation.

SB 1782 is scheduled for a committee hearing on April 1. Meanwhile, a similar bill in the state Senate recently passed its first committee review. If both measures gain approval, the new regulations would take effect on July 1.

Lawmakers hope these measures will deter reckless driving and enhance road safety across Florida.