Florida drivers, check yourself. Speeding kills, and when it doesn’t it can cause lifelong, debilitating medical conditions.
Also, this week, it can mean speeding tickets as a lot more police officers, deputies and troopers will be out there watching you.
The Florida Department of Transportation, the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV), Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) and local law enforcement agencies are all teaming up for the state’s annual “Operation Slow Down,” which seeks to “reduce speed-related fatalities and serious injury crashes by targeting speeding and aggressive driving violations,” according to an FDOT news release.
FLHSMV data found that speeding and aggressive driving behaviors in particular contributed to 437 fatalities, or 13%, of all traffic fatalities in Florida in 2023.
So-called “superspeeders” have more problems now, aside from the danger to human life and property. Florida lawmakers this year created a new criminal offense, “dangerous excessive speeding,” for anyone exceeding the speed limit by 50 mph or more, or driving 100 mph or more in a reckless manner. The first time is a $500 fine and up to 30 days in jail, or both. Do it again and face up to 90 days in jail, a fine of $1,000, or both.
Here’s what to know about speeding in Florida.
What is ‘Operation Slow Down’?
“Operation Slow Down” is an annual, week-long speed enforcement and public education campaign coordinated between state and local law enforcement and corresponding agencies in Alabama, Georgia, South Carolina, and Tennessee.
When is ‘Operation Slow Down’?
“Operation Slow Down” runs from Monday, July 14 through Saturday, July 19, 2025.
What are Florida’s speeding laws?
Florida law requires drivers to drive at safe speeds that are “reasonable and prudent under the conditions” with regard to actual and potential hazards. That means that even if you’re driving at the posted speed limit, you can be pulled over if you’re driving that speed in hazardous conditions such as bad weather, through areas of construction, or at night in an area that isn’t well lit.
Drivers are also prohibited from exceeding posted speed limits, driving so slowly they impede or block traffic (unless conditions or posted signs require it), and not slowing down when approaching an intersection or railroad crossing, a curve, a hill crest or a narrow or winding roadway.
The state now defines speeding three ways. Until this year, it was only two:
Florida creates new ‘superspeeder’ law
As of July 1, 2025, anyone exceeding the speed limit by 50 mph or more, or driving 100 mph or more in a reckless manner commits “dangerous excessive speeding” which brings a $500 fine and up to 30 days in jail, or both.
Second or subsequent offenses mean up to 90 days in jail, a fine of $1,000, or both. Anyone caught doing it again within five years after a prior conviction will have their driver’s license revoked for at least six months.
Also, any drivers who exceed the speed limit by 50 mph or more must now appear in court, rather than just paying a fine. The bill also allows law enforcement to impose additional fines for drivers going 30 mph or 50 mph over the posted limit at their discretion.
What are the fines for speeding in Florida?
According to Florida Statute 318.18:
However, each county or municipality can decide its own traffic fines, which can be higher. Fines are also increased, sometimes dramatically, for repeated offenses or for speeding through school zones, toll booths or construction zones. Fines will also increase if you commit other violations while speeding or if you are involved in an accident.
Felony speeders can see fines of $1,000 or more, and repeat offenders may have their licenses suspended for up to a year.
Speeding also adds points on your license.
How many points do I get on my license for speeding in Florida?
When you get a speeding ticket in Florida, you also get points against your driving record. Get enough and your license will be suspended or revoked, but even before that points can mean increased insurance rates.
Too many points bring penalties.
You can avoid points on your license by attending an approved driver improvement school and paying a fee, but you can only do that once in any 12-month period and no more than five times in a lifetime.
You can check the current number of points on your license here.
What are the standard Florida speed limit laws?
According to the website floridacarlaws.com:
Mark H. Bickel, Fort Myers News-Press, contributed to this story.
This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: What is Operation Slow Down? What to know about new speeding laws in Florida
Reporting by C. A. Bridges, USA TODAY NETWORK – Florida / Tallahassee Democrat
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
