A Pensacola man was cited under Florida’s “super speeder” law after Florida Highway Patrol says the 28-year-old was driving at speeds in excess of 100 mph while under the influence of alcohol Oct. 4.
FHP pulled over Zachary Stevens as he was allegedly driving 110 mph on Interstate 110 around 4 a.m.
“A Florida Highway Patrol Trooper pulled over a super speeder in Escambia County, Florida early Saturday morning,” an FHP release said. “Once stopped, the trooper observed the odor of alcohol coming from the driver and multiple open containers in the vehicle.”
According to jail records, Stevens was arrested on one count of DUI, refusing a DUI test with a suspended license, operating a motor vehicle exceeding speed limit by 50 mph and violating driver’s license restrictions. All four counts are misdemeanors.
Stevens was released from Escambia County Jail on $1,800 bond.
What is the Florida ‘super speeder’ Law?
The “Super Speeder Law” is officially HB 351, a law to curb dangerous excessive speeding.
According to The Ticket Clinic, the Super Speeder Law is intended to punish drivers who drive 50 miles per hour or more over the posted speed limit or 100 miles per hour on any roadway.
Drivers in violation of the Super Speeder Law can face imprisonment up to 30 days for a first offense, according to the bill text. A second or subsequent conviction can lead to a 90-day imprisonment or a $1,000 fine or both.
If a second conviction occurs within five years of each other, the driver will have a license revocation for at least 180 days but no more than one year.
Florida Highway Patrol cited 70 people under ‘super speeder’ law in first month
After the law went into effect July 1, at least 70 people were charged under the “super speeder” law. More than half of the drivers charged were clocked at driving over 100 mph, according to FHP.
One of Escambia County’s first arrests occurred near U.S. 98 and Chaseville St. on Sept. 13. FHP arrested a 42-year-old motorcyclist who was allegedly driving 94 mph on a 40 mph posted roadway.
This article originally appeared on Pensacola News Journal: Pensacola man arrested under Florida’s ‘super speeder’ law and DUI for driving 100+ mph
Reporting by Benjamin Johnson, Pensacola News Journal / Pensacola News Journal
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
