ORLANDO, Fla. – A new law signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis this week increases penalties for street racing and “coordinated street takeovers” that involve 10 or more vehicles.
Anyone who races vehicles or performs stunts in a road or parking lot currently can be charged with a misdemeanor that carries a maximum sentence of one year in jail and the loss of driving privileges for one year.
The maximum fine for first-time offenses will increase to $2,000 when SB 1764 takes effect July 1.
Under the new law, anyone convicted of a second offense within one year can be charged with a third-degree felony punishable by up to five years in state prison and fines ranging from $2,500 to $4,000.
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Subsequent racing convictions within five years will be charged as second-degree felonies that carry maximum sentences of 15 years in prison.
The state is also authorized to revoke violators’ driver’s licenses for a period of 2 years to 4 years, depending on the number of prior offenses.
Violators who impede emergency vehicles or engage in a coordinated street takeover will face third-degree felonies under the new law.
Spectators at illegal street racing events can be assessed a $400 fine.
“We have many calls and complaints from our residents who are tired of street takeovers, doing donuts in the middle of intersections,” said Orange County Sheriff John Mina. “I think the people out there doing it know they’re violating the law. They may not realize how serious it is. It’s not just a ticket. You can go to jail now for this.”
The Orange County Sheriff’s Office arrested 157 people and issued 1,290 citations related to street racing last year, state records show.
Mina championed the new penalties, in part to avoid deaths caused by street racing.
“We’ll continue to seize vehicles like we have. We also continue to notify [violators’] insurance companies,” said Mina. “We have designated details that we do every month to target street racers and make it be known this is not OK here in Orange County. And they’ve been very successful.”
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