Legislative proposals to increase speed limits on Florida Interstates and other highways are cruised to pass. Even at the proposed 5 mph, if the speed limit increases, research shows that more accidents could continue.
So far, the proposal has not reached speed bumps at the Florida home and the Senate. There, it is approved with Republican and democratic support by five of the six committees where the idea was taken into consideration.
This is one of several driving-related ideas introduced at the annual legislative conference in Tallahassee. With only a few weeks left before the May 2nd session ends, it is far ahead of the others and is most likely to reach the governor’s desk.
The Speed Limit Act (Senate Bill 462 and House Bill 567) increases the maximum speeds on interstate and Florida turnpikes from 70 mph to 75 mph.
The bill also requires the maximum speeds on rural four-lane highways to be increased from 65 mph to 70 mph. Other roads with a speed limit of 60 mph could be raised to 65 mph, which is considered “safe and wise.”
The high speed limit is included in the House sponsor, State Rep. Fiona McFarland, which includes House sponsors, how to purchase the Transportation Department’s purchase division, quality metrics on the proposal project, and state legislators Fiona McFarland, which will allow pregnant women to park in Haddickcam spots.
McFarland told the Transport and Economic Development Budget Subcommittee on Thursday that a set of ideas will improve what she already considers as a great system.
“I want exceptional in the way we travel around the state. If you’ve recently crossed the state boundaries, you feel this way every time you go to another state. I feel like I’m driving in a third world country and can’t wait to get back to Florida’s roads. There’s a great transport system,” she said.
Not everyone thinks that speed limit provisions are a good idea.
Opponents include the AAA-Auto Club Group. And Boca Raton retired Howard Hatov said Congress should hit the brakes on the idea.
“I think the speed limit we have now is fast enough for the type of driver we have. I’m worried about increasing the speed limit,” Hatov said. “Why am I worried? I have problems with current drivers with current speed limits, so I think it will increase if people who drive stupidly can go faster.”
Those who have already exceeded the speed limit are likely to exceed the new, higher limit, he said.
Hatoff, who lived in New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania and Texas, said driving in Florida was already challenging.
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In 2014, it was GOV at the time. Rick Scott rejected a similar speed limit law, pointing to concerns raised by law enforcement officials. “The bill does not mandate highway restrictions, but allowing the possibility of faster driving on Florida roads and highways could ultimately unacceptably increase the risk of serious accidents for Florida citizens and visitors.”
Scott said law enforcement officials “warned him about the possible serious negative consequences if the bill became law. Evidence suggests that increased driving speed is not the sole cause of traffic accidents, but they clearly contribute to an increase in vehicle crash outcomes in the form of unnecessary injuries and death.”
A 2023 survey from the AAA Foundation’s Road Safety Foundation found that “increasing posted speed limits is of little use to save time and prolong traffic flow, but can lead to more collisions, injuries and deaths.”
Increased posted speed limits were associated with an increase in crash frequencies for two of the three interstates surveyed. “Profits are overvalued and risks are modest. An increase in speed limits may not always produce the positive outcomes expected by traffic planners,” said Jennifer Ryan, director of state relations at AAA in a 2023 release.
A 2024 study by the AAA Foundation for Road Safety found that increasing speed limits on highways could “have more crashes on nearby roads.” … This “spillover effect” poses an unintended safety hazard to communities that may not be involved in the decision-making process to increase speed limits posted on nearby highways. ”
Several other ideas that affect drivers are considered, but in most cases, no progress has been made in the legislative process.
Using a mobile phone
The proposal to put more restrictions on using mobile phones while driving passed the Senate Wednesday. Senate Bill 1318 renames Florida’s texting ban, prohibiting the handheld use of wireless devices behind the wheels, while promoting the law to Florida’s Hands-Free Driving Act.
Applies to all actions, including mobile phone retention, such as using social media, viewing maps, watching videos, and more. Sen. Erin Gulal, a Republican from Vero Beach, said he sponsored the proposal because distracted driving in Florida was a major issue.
“We’re digging in and saying we’re changing our behavior because we know that this is bad, if not worse, than drunk driving,” she said at the committee hearing.
The AAA supported the law that passed Senate 29-7.
Most Broward and Palm Beach County Senators – Lori Berman, Mac Bernard, Gale Harrell, Jason Pizzo and Tina Polsky voted “Yes.” State Sens. Rosalind Osgood and Barbara Sharif voted “No.”
The House version of the bill has not been considered by any committee.
Left lane restrictions
The idea of not spending too much time in the left lane of the Florida highway has resurfaced, but it has come to an end. Only one of the five committees charged in light of the idea’s actions took place.
Senate Bill 636 and House Bill 545 prohibit left lane cruising on highways with speed limits of at least two lanes and at least 65 mph. The proposal provides exemptions to drivers who overtake other drivers, prepare to leave the highway, turn from the left lane, and is directed towards the lane by law enforcement officers or traffic controls. It also provides exemptions to drivers due to environment or traffic conditions.
Gov. Ron Desantis rejected a similar bill last year. He wrote that it was “too wide,” and that the driver would “be pulled, put in, and fined for driving in the farthest left lane, even if it didn’t interfere with traffic flow.” And he said, “it could increase the crowds in Florida urban areas as drivers may decide not to take advantage of the farthest left lane at all, due to fear of tickets,” he said.
Front license plate
Florida’s rear-only license plate law has plagued people moving out of states that require plates at the front and rear of vehicles. Senate Bill 92 adds the front plate requirement only after passing one committee.
Legislative staff analysis states that most states require front and rear plates. The analysis shows the major obstacles. The front license plates for all vehicles registered in Florida are estimated at $100 million or $130 million. The cost then reaches $13 million a year.
And such laws will cause headaches for many car owners, as vehicles sold in the state are usually not equipped with holes that allow people to tighten the front plates.
This report contains information from Florida news services.
