If you’re used to flying down Florida highways with a heavy foot, you may want to start rethinking that habit.
A new bill sitting on Governor Ron DeSantis’s desk is poised to bring some of the harshest penalties the state has ever seen for excessive speeding.
Known as House Bill 351, the legislation passed both chambers of the Florida Legislature with strong support and now awaits the governor’s signature.
Should it become law, drivers caught pushing their limits on the road could soon find themselves facing fines, courtrooms and in some cases, jail.
What House Bill 351 Actually Does
The bill zeroes in on what lawmakers are calling “dangerous excessive speeding.” Under HB 351, two actions fall into that category:
Driving 50 miles per hour or more over the posted speed limit, or
Driving 100 miles per hour or faster in a way that endangers others or disrupts traffic.
The penalties are steep and escalate quickly:
First offense: Up to 30 days in jail, a $500 fine, or both
Second or subsequent offense: Up to 90 days in jail, a $1,000 fine, or both
License revocation: Repeat offenders may lose their driving privileges for 6 months to 1 year
Additionally, drivers cited for these violations will be required to appear in court, no more mailing in a check and moving on.
Why Now?
Behind the bill is a deeply personal story.
The legislation was partly inspired by the death of 11-year-old Anthony Reznick, who was killed by a driver with a long history of reckless speeding.
For State Senator Jason Pizzo, who sponsored the Senate version of the bill, it’s about more than traffic safety, it’s about accountability.
“This isn’t about someone going 10 over on their way to work,” Mr. Pizzo told reporters. “This is about people driving 120 miles an hour on the highway and weaving through traffic like they’re in a video game. Enough is enough.”
Strong Support from Lawmakers
HB 351 drew bipartisan support. The Florida Senate passed it unanimously, 37–0, while the House approved it in a 75–38 vote. The primary sponsors, Reps. Susan Plasencia and Danny Alvarez, say the bill sends a clear message: Florida is done tolerating extreme speeding.
Backers of the legislation point to rising traffic fatalities and a wave of viral social media videos glamorizing high-speed stunts. Critics, meanwhile, have raised concerns about jail overcrowding and potential overreach, but those arguments failed to gain much traction this session.
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