TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) – Florida has a new “Super Speedoter” law designed to make state roads safer.
The law involves drivers above 100 mph, or over 50 mph from posted speed limits.
Drivers are arrested immediately and can face a $500 fine and 30 days of prison if convicted.
What is Florida’s “super speeder” law?
Most people agree and driving at excessive speed is dangerous.
“Everyone who drives 100 mph is crazy. If you want to go to drag races, you go to drag races. There’s a law to protect them,” said Michael Nullution, who regularly drives around Tampa.
Joe Rooney said that even some new cars and the trucks he drives every day can be seemingly faster.
“This truck, I was shocked by myself. It’s so smooth. I’m doing 90 mph and I think I’m doing 70. It’s like 90, I’m oooo,” Rooney said.
Chris Castillo is a former Hillsboro County prosecutor and currently works as a defense attorney.
He said he agreed to the intent of the law.
“Personally, I think the intention is great. I don’t want people who are acting recklessly at that speed on our roads,” Castillo said.
But as a defense attorney, he finds some issues with the way the law was written.
“From a defensive perspective, there are some concerns as we are actually replicating some of the laws in the book,” Castillo said.
He said Congress may need to make some adjustments in written law to prevent cases from being kicked out of court.
“I think the law itself isn’t well written because it doesn’t say exactly what type of crime it is,” Castillo said.
The Florida Highway Patrol says the law is already impacting it by putting people driving at excessive speeds in prison.
“Hopefully people will realize you can be pulled, you can actually go to jail. You can go to jail as well as tickets, but you will go to jail and your car will be arrested on your records,” said Sergeant Steve Gaskins on the Florida Highway Patrol.
