Florida lawmakers are tightening the reins on street racing and intersection takeovers. Again. Last year, the state made sweeping changes to the laws to make it easier to prosecute for all types of stunt driving including racing, burnouts, drifting, wheelies and take overs. In 2024, these new laws will make the penalties stiffer in attempts to disrupt illegal street racing activity.
Governor Ron DeSantis recently signed a bill into law, introducing harsher penalties for those caught in the act. The new measures include steeper fines, potential jail time, and even license suspensions depending on the severity of the offense.
For first-time offenders, the fine has been bumped up to $2,000 with a possible one-year license suspension, compared to the previous fine of $1,000.
Repeat offenders within a year will face a third-degree felony, a fine of up to $4,000, and a two-year license suspension.
Interfering with the movement of an emergency vehicle during a street takeover is now a third-degree felony, which could result in up to five years in prison and fines up to $4,000.
Participation in a coordinated street takeover, involving 10 or more vehicles, is also classified as a third-degree felony. Offenders will face fines up to $4,000 and a two-year license suspension.
The bill’s sponsor emphasized that these steps are crucial for safety. Data shows that a large amount of participants are minors. According to the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, over the past five years, officers have issued more than 9,000 citations for street racing and stunt driving. Nearly one-third of these were in Miami-Dade County, with the median age of offenders being 21.
The new law, effective July 1.
