Florida’s roadways have become increasingly monitored over the past four years, with traffic citations climbing steadily. In 2024 alone, the state witnessed a 5.6% uptick in tickets compared to the previous year, translating to an additional 155,824 citations.
The Undisputed Champ Of Traffic Enforcement: Miami-Dade
Miami-Dade County stands out as the epicenter of this surge. A staggering 51% of Florida’s additional tickets in 2024 originated from this single county. Over the past two years, Miami-Dade experienced a 27% increase in traffic citations. Delving deeper, the county was responsible for:
- 30% of the state’s texting and driving tickets (1,742 out of 5,700)
- 23% of seat belt violations
- 12% of speeding infractions
Speeding, in particular, has seen a notable rise. In 2024, Miami-Dade issued 93,891 speeding tickets, up from 77,482 in 2023 and 71,381 in 2022—a 32% increase over two years. Statewide, speeding citations grew by 9% during the same period, indicating that Miami-Dade’s increase outpaced the state average by a factor of three.
Other Speeding Ticket Hotspots In Florida
15 Counties issue 42% of the speeding tickets in the entire state.
Other counties have also shown significant shifts:
- Lee County saw a whopping 135% increase in speeding tickets issued from 2022-2024. This is significantly higher than any place in the state.
- Palm Beach County secured the second spot, issuing over 20,000 more tickets than Broward County in 2024, a notable change from their close numbers the previous year.
- Volusia County moves to up several spots to the 6th most ticketed county, signaling more traffic enforcement.
- Polk County advanced to seventh place in speeding citations, surpassing Hillsborough, which now ranks eighth.
- Seminole County issued an additional 40% more speeding tickets in the last 2 years, earning it a spot in the top ten for the first time.
Beyond speeding, other traffic violations have seen increases:
- “Other moving violations” rose by 19% from 2023 to 2024.
- “Other non-moving citations” increased by 11% in the same timeframe.
- Notably, “No Helmet” violations spiked by 52%, marking the highest increase in any category statewide.
Conversely, some areas reported declines in enforcement:
- Pinellas County saw a 28% reduction in speeding infractions and a 20% drop in DUI arrests from 2023 to 2024, though it remains second in DUI arrests statewide.
Criminal Traffic Arrests Around FL
Criminal traffic arrests have risen by 6%, possibly due to stricter enforcement of street racing laws. However, DUI arrests have remained relatively stable over the past five years. For the second consecutive year, Hillsborough County led with 4,593 DUI arrests, followed by Pinellas (3,326) and Broward (3,253). Duval County noted an 18% increase, from 2,582 to 3,056 DUI arrests.
The Impact Of Automated Enforcement
School bus safety has garnered attention. Over the past three years, Florida issued 9,814 tickets for illegally passing school buses. In December 2024, Miami reported 120,000 fines after activating automated camera enforcement systems. Looking at these numbers, you have to wonder if it’s all about safety or a slick money grab.
The Financial Impact Of Traffic Tickets
Financially, traffic citations have a profound impact on the finances of the state. Approximately 39% of moving violation penalties were paid outright. At an average of $200 per ticket, this amounts to roughly $122 million, excluding criminal traffic and non-moving violations. Moreover, those who pay fines often face insurance premium hikes ranging from 10-30%. Given Florida’s average full coverage rate of $3,485 annually, a single ticket could add around $1,000 in insurance costs. For this reason alone, it is always worthwhile to contest your Florida traffic ticket.
Your Odds Of Successfully Challenging A Ticket With The Ticket Clinic Are 98%
All we do is fight traffic tickets – Day in and day out. Our lawyers know the best strategies that lead to a traffic ticket dismissal or minimize the impact on your driving record. According to the state’s data:
- 20% were dismissed entirely.
- 37% resulted in adjudication withheld, often leading to no points on the driver’s record, though court fees may apply.
- Only 4% led to a “Guilty” verdict, with 12% still pending.
These statistics suggest favorable odds for those who contest their citations, especially with professional legal assistance from us. Our firm will continue to monitor for trends in traffic enforcement and fight for drivers across the country. On the driver’s side since 1987, we hope you’ll contact us for assistance with any type of traffic ticket.
