Florida’s New Dangerous Excessive Speeding Law

Starting July 1, 2025, Florida drivers will face serious consequences under a new dangerous excessive speeding law that targets high-speed drivers. Speeding contributes to 26% of traffic fatalities across the United States, making it one of the deadliest behaviors behind the wheel. Statistics like this one are a big reason why lawmakers are taking action to protect innocent drivers and passengers.

What is Considered Excessive Speeding in Florida?

Under House Bill 351, Florida now classifies particular speeding behavior as dangerous and excessive. According to the bill, a person commits this criminal offense if they:

Drive more than 50 mph over the posted speed limit, or
Drive at 100 mph or more in a way that threatens public safety or interferes with other vehicles on the road

Accidents Caused by Speeding in Florida

In Alachua County alone, there have already been 71 crashes in 2025 caused by speeding and aggressive driving. These crashes led to 4 serious injuries and 2 fatalities.

Statewide, the trends aren’t much better. Between 2013 and 2023, Florida saw a 43% increase in traffic fatalities, many caused by risky behaviors like speeding. Additionally, 84% of speeding-related fatalities involve male drivers, and most are aged 16 to 25.

Penalties for Dangerous Excessive Speeding

The penalties under this new law in Florida may seem harsh; however, they’re meant to be serious enough to deter drivers from engaging in high-risk behavior. Here’s a breakdown:

1st Offense

A first conviction can result in:

Up to 30 days in jail
A $500 fine
Or both jail time and a fine

Subsequent Offenses

A second or subsequent conviction has even stiffer penalties:

Up to 90 days in jail
A $1,000 fine
Or both jail time and a fine

If the second offense happens within 5 years of the first, the driver’s license will be revoked for at least 180 days, and up to 1 year. These are criminal charges, and they add a level of accountability for those who might brush off a speeding ticket as just another fine.

Please note that, unlike civil traffic infractions, criminal traffic offenses like this can appear on background checks. This may affect many areas of a person’s life, including job applications, housing opportunities, or professional licensing. With so much at stake, it’s wise not to exceed the speed limit.

Speeding and Insurance Claims

Drivers convicted under this new law may see changes in their insurance rates. A speeding ticket in Florida can raise insurance costs by almost $680 per year. However, while minor speeding tickets stay on your record for 3-5 years, reckless driving will stay on your record for life as it threatens the safety of others on and off the road.

Common High-Speed Car Accident Injuries

Speeding in general can result in serious injuries, but these injuries can be even more devastating in high-speed crashes due to the force of impact. Common car accident injuries include:

Head trauma
Whiplash
Spinal injuries
Internal bleeding

These crashes can also be emotionally traumatic. Victims may suffer from PTSD, anxiety, or depression. These conditions can be long-term and often require extensive treatment and rehabilitation. As such, it’s best to speak to a car crash lawyer to ensure you can recover the damages you’ve suffered.

Available Compensation for Car Accident Victims

If you’re injured due to a speeding driver, you may be entitled to compensation for:

Medical bills
Lost wages and reduced earning capacity
Pain and suffering
Property damage
In some cases, punitive damages may be awarded to punish reckless behavior.

These types of claims will require evidence, such as police reports, witness statements, and accident reconstruction experts.

Who is Liable in a High-Speed Accident?

When dangerous speeding leads to a motor vehicle crash, victims can be left with catastrophic injuries, and they have the right to seek compensation. In Florida, the at-fault driver is responsible for any damages resulting from the accident. That being said, there may be exceptions. For example, if the speeding driver was operating a company vehicle, the employer may also be held liable for damages.

Modified Comparative Negligence in Florida

Under Florida Statute 768.81, the state follows a modified comparative negligence rule. This means:

If you are more than 50% at fault for your injuries, you can’t recover any compensation
If you are 50% or less at fault, your damages will be reduced based on your share of the blame

For instance, if you are found to be 30% at fault in a $100,000 case, you could still recover $70,000. On the other hand, if you are 51% at fault, you get nothing.

What to Do After a High-Speed Accident

If you’re involved in a crash caused by a speeding driver, you’ll want to follow these steps:

Call 911 and request medical help if needed
Get a police report and exchange information
Document the scene with photos and witness contact information
Seek medical attention, even for minor pain, as some injuries, like concussions, may not be evident right away

Finally, contact a car accident attorney as soon as possible. The sooner you start working with a lawyer, the better your chances of maximizing your recovery.

Injured in a Car Accident? Contact a Gainesville Personal Injury Lawyer

This new Florida law shows that the state is taking dangerous driving more seriously; however, accidents can still happen.

If you’ve suffered injuries in a car accident due to the negligence of a reckless driver, you may be entitled to financial compensation. A Gainesville car accident lawyer can help you through the process, defend your rights, and help hold the responsible party accountable.

At Fine, Farkash & Parlapiano, P.A., we have experience handling high-speed crash cases, and we understand the pain and uncertainty that come with these types of accidents. Contact us today for a free consultation. We’ll thoroughly review your case and explain all of your options, so you can get the justice you deserve.

Sources:

Obeying the Speed Limit | Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles

House Bill 351 | Florida House of Representatives

Florida Traffic Safety Dashboard | Signal Four Analytics

2024 Florida Road Safety Roundup | DriversEd.com

Florida Department of Transportation Kicks Off Annual “Operation Southern Slow Down” | FDOT

How a Speeding Ticket Affects Insurance in Florida | Bankrate

768.81 Comparative fault. | The Florida Legislature

Jack Fine

Mr. Fine was born in New York, New York, and was raised in the northeast, where he studied sociology at Colby College in Waterville, Maine. He then graduated with honors from the University of Florida Levin College of Law in 1976. In law school, he was a member of Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society, was inducted into the Order of the Coif, and graduated in the top 10 percent of his class. Mr. Fine was admitted into the Florida Bar in 1976, the United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida in 1977, the United States District Court for the Northern District of Florida in 1991, and the United States Court of Appeals 11th Circuit in 1982.