One driver arrested for going over 100 mph said he thought the trooper was trying to race him
- Florida has arrested 70 people under a new ‘super speeder’ law since the start of July.
- Video obtained of some of the arrests indicates that many drivers are dumbfounded.
- One even claimed that the FHP trooper who pulled him over was trying to race.
There was little doubt that Florida’s new ‘super speeder’ law was going to have a noticeable impact. After all, troopers were arresting people for it just minutes after it went into effect. What wasn’t so obvious is just how dumbfounded some drivers were by the law. In a video of several different stops and arrests, it’s clear that troopers are making an impact.
Since July 1, officers in Florida now have the ability to arrest anyone suspected of going 100+ mph or anyone going 50 mph over whatever the posted speed limit is in the area. Authorities have already charged 70 people under this new law. It’s unclear if all were arrested though, as that is up to officer’s discretion.
More: First Florida Super Speeder Caught Minutes After Law Goes Into Effect
According to WFTV, trooper Migdalisis Garcia was shocked by how many drivers they’ve caught under this new law. Of the 70, 49 were charged for going over 100 mph. One featured in the video below complained, ‘I was going 116 and he won’t give me a chance!’
Another accused of going 120 mph on Interstate 4 in a Honda Civic said he thought the trooper was trying to race him. One in a Volkswagen Golf was allegedly caught going 135 mph.
Extreme Cases on Florida Roads
Those pale in comparison to the individual in a Dodge Challenger allegedly going 155 mph when police saw them. Video from that arrest shows the car billowing smoke out of the hood. Evidently, the majority of folks hauled off to jail post their $500 bond quickly to get out. On top of dealing with the legal consequences, they have to pay for towing of their vehicle and impound fees.
Law Enforcement Ramping Up
Notably, the arrest figure will likely go up during August as some departments didn’t have the code in their system to even make arrests under this law until mid-way through July. At some point, it seems reasonable to believe that motorists in the state will get the message via word of mouth. Triple-digit speeds in Florida are officially a very risky venture.
What stands out is how quickly the law has shifted from words on paper to visible results on the road. If the pace of arrests continues, it could mark a lasting change in how drivers think about speed in Florida.