In Tampa, officials from the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles revealed to 10 Tampa Bay News that 560 individuals have found themselves on the wrong side of this law in just a few months. Notably, August saw the highest number of arrests, totaling 212.

This stringent legislation is a significant step in curbing dangerous driving behaviors on Florida roads, transforming what was once considered a traffic infraction into a criminal offense. The month-by-month statistics of these arrests shed light on the extent of the issue and the robust enforcement of the new law.

Here’s the month-by-month breakdown of super speeder arrests:

• July: 125
• August: 212
• September: 132
• October: 91 (currently)

The law is from House Bill 351, which targets drivers who go 50 mph or more over the posted speed limit, or who travel at 100 mph or higher, regardless of the speed limit. Under the law, those violations are no longer infractions — they are now criminal offenses.

The first offense can carry up to 90 days in jail, a fine of $500 and a mandatory court appearance. A second offense within five years could mean up to six months in jail and a fine of up to $1,000, along with a license revocation of up to one year.

The bill states the following:

A person may not drive a vehicle on a highway at a speed greater than is reasonable and prudent under the conditions and having regard to the actual and potential hazards then existing. Speed must be controlled as may be necessary to avoid colliding with any person, vehicle, or other conveyance or object on or entering the highway in compliance with legal requirements and the duty of all persons to use due care.