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Speeding is the second most common cause of accidents in America.
Generally speaking, a speeding ticket does not warrant an arrest. However, there are certain circumstances under which you can be arrested.
According to the Florida DMV, millions of traffic citations are issued each year, including speeding violations.
The state of Florida takes speeding seriously, with each county imposing hefty fines on drivers who speed.
How much over the speed limit is too much? Is speeding a felony in Florida? Keep reading to get the answers to these questions and many more.
Contact Florida Ticket Firm for a free consultation!
The state of Florida has two types of speeding laws. Here are the two in detail.
Florida’s basic speeding law prohibits drivers from driving at speeds that are not prudent and reasonable.
Essentially, this means motorists must drive at a safe speed.
What determines a safe speed, in this case, is the circumstances. For example, 60 miles an hour could be safe on a dry road on a day with good visibility. The same speed might be deemed unsafe on a wet day at night.
The latter is then considered to be a violation of the speeding law.
These are more absolute directives displayed on road signage.
If a sign says 40 miles per hour, then anything above this is a violation of the law.
To aid road users, Florida State requires that maximum speed limits be clearly posted.
Generally, motorists are allowed up to 70 miles per hour on the highway and only 30 miles per hour in business and residential areas.
The penalties vary depending on how far above the speed limit you are. If this is your first speeding infraction, be aware that it will affect subsequent citations.
Here are different implications of various citations.
This could be a bit of a surprise when you are stopped over, because you might not even realize you were driving slightly faster than the limit.
The fines for these limits are typically around the range of $131 in most parts of the state.
If you opt to pay this fine, you also end up with three points on your driving record.
The fines for exceeding the limit by 10-14 miles per hour range from $200 to $223.
Paying the fine and moving on will again add three points to your driving record. If you accrue 12 points within a year, you could lose your driving privileges for about a month.
This attracts a fine of $250 to $ 400.
While these are standard across the state, Florida County exercises discretion when setting fines and other court-related fees.
Paying this adds four points to your record.
Driving 20-29 miles per hour over the limit attracts a fine of $270- $330 and four points on your driving record.
While you will be stopped and given a ticket for exceeding the speed limit by any amount, the penalties are lower depending on how much you exceed it.
A law enforcement agent can overlook some mistakes if you are speeding by just a few miles, or issue a warning.
However, being 30 MPH over the speed limit is no longer a simple infraction but a serious misdemeanor.
You are unlikely to catch a break for going over the speed limit by 30 miles or more. If you already have demerit points on your driving record, this offense can result in the loss of your license.
You can also face criminal penalties.
A first conviction for going this far over the speed limit will result in a fine of around $1000.
A second one will result in $ 2,500 and a one-year license revocation. You will get a $ 5,000 fine for a third one, in addition to losing your license for 10 years.
You also get a third-degree felony conviction on your record.
If you were cited for driving in a school or construction zone, you might be charged with reckless driving, in addition to the traffic infraction.
Similarly, your fines might be doubled, and you might also get sentenced to probation or traffic school.
At this point, you do not have the option to pay the fine and be done with it.
With a 50 MPH over the limit citation, you will have a mandatory court date. If you forego your court appearance, the court might issue an administrative suspension of your driver’s license.
You can also get other standalone or combination charges based on your offense.
Hiring a Florida traffic ticket attorney is your best chance of fighting such a citation.
Drag racing is considered a severe violation of traffic laws in Florida. If you are caught participating in a drag race, you will be issued a drag racing ticket.
This is more than just a traffic infraction—it is a criminal offense.
A conviction can result in fines, license suspension, and even jail time. Given the serious nature of this charge, it is crucial to seek the services of a drag racing defense attorney to navigate the legal complexities and defend your rights.
Here is a quick look at the potential effects of a traffic citation.
An infraction results in a fine. States also make a point of placing hurdles on fighting a ticket in court.
This makes it more favorable for offenders to just pay the fines.
While this option looks easier, your offense appears on your record for three years. At face value, paying the penalty and not contesting it in court is seen as an admission of guilt.
Acquiring two or more violations in three to five years can cause your insurer to increase your premiums.
If your insurer deems you a high-risk driver, your premiums might double or even triple.
A point system gives points to drivers for every infraction. A driver who accumulates too many points in a short period can lose their driving privileges.
In Florida, accumulating 24 demerit points within a three-year period can result in the loss of your driving privileges for 12 months.
If you drive to work, drive the kids to school, and so on, losing your driving privileges can really interfere with your day-to-day life. If you drive for a living, this impacts your ability to earn an income.
So, is speeding a felony? As you can see, at certain thresholds, speeding is indeed a felony.
And even when it’s not, it still has far-reaching consequences that go beyond paying a one-time fine.
Because each citation counts, it is more important to drive carefully and to try to fight each citation in court.
Do you or a loved one have a pending citation to deal with?
Contact Florida Ticket Firm today for advice on the best way forward.
