ORLANDO, Fla. – A new Florida law that took effect Oct. 1 means tougher penalties for drivers who try to outrun law enforcement.

House Bill 113 increases the punishment for fleeing and eluding, which was already a felony under state law. Now, drivers caught speeding away from officers or leaving the scene of a crash face higher penalties on Florida’s sentencing chart, making jail time more likely.

The law also targets repeat offenders. Anyone convicted of fleeing before will now see their sentencing score multiplied by one and a half if they’re caught again. That change makes prison sentences significantly longer for drivers who continue to break the law.

Lawmakers say these changes are designed to discourage dangerous high-speed chases and hold offenders more accountable.

The message is clear: fleeing from law enforcement in Florida is not just reckless, it now comes with harsher consequences than ever before.

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