- Florida just kicked off an annual speeding enforcement period covering the whole state.
- Officers and troopers alike will focus on catching speeders from July 14 through the 19th.
- The state’s new super-speeder law means that some offenders could go to jail straight away.
If you’re in the Sunshine State, it’s never been a worse time to speed. The state just recently passed a law that allows law enforcement officers to take seriously fast speeders straight to jail. For the next several days, the entire state is also under a speeding enforcement focus. The state says the campaign will improve safety for drivers and pedestrians alike.
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It’s no secret that speed is a factor in countless crashes around the world every day. Florida is home to the third-highest rate of highway crash fatalities based on data from 2022. According to the NHTSA, speeding was a contributing factor (not necessarily the cause) in 29 percent of all traffic fatalities in 2022. It’s obvious why every state would want to reduce those figures.
Operation Southern Slow Down Rolls Out
That’s one reason Florida is having a speeding enforcement campaign from July 14-19. Officers across the state will focus on pulling over drivers traveling above the speed limit. Dubbed Operation Southern Slow Down, it encompasses Fort Myers, Jacksonville, Panama City, Miami, Daytona Beach, and Tampa within the state. Tallahassee is getting in on the campaign as well and highlighted two recent arrests for street racing.
The department says that Demetrial Thurman and Tykeria Thurman were racing when they caused a crash. Evidently, the only victim was one of the racers themselves, and they’ve since recovered.
“Street racing, speeding, and aggressive driving endanger everyone on our roadways,” said Chief Lawrence Revell. “TPD is committed to enforcing traffic laws and protecting the lives of those who live, work, and travel in our community.”
A Regional Effort
Interestingly, Florida isn’t alone in this campaign. Other southern states, including South Carolina, Tennessee, Georgia, and Alabama, are in on it too. Essentially, the south is a no-speeding zone for now. Florida is especially noteworthy, though, because it now has a super speeder law on the books.
Drivers caught going 100 mph or more can now be taken to jail on the spot. The same applies to anyone exceeding the speed limit by 50 mph, even if they’re not hitting triple digits. It’s a firm stance that sends a clear message: slow down or face immediate consequences.
