A motorist found themselves at the mercy of the St. Johns County Sheriff's Office after deputies recorded them hurtling down I-95 at a blistering 115mph, far exceeding the 70mph speed limit. In a post shared on their official Facebook page, the St. Johns County Sheriff's Office delivered a stark warning to drivers, reminding them that such reckless behavior could result in severe penalties, including potential jail time, financial fines, and the suspension of driving privileges.
Florida's response to this brand of vehicular temerity is outlined within the state's Dangerous Excessive Speeding Law (F.S.S. 316.1922), which was cited by the Sheriff's Office in their social media dispatch. Traveling 50+ mph over the speed limit, speeding at 100+ mph to overtake or while changing lanes, or zooming 35+ mph over the limit on roads other than highways, lands drivers in hot water. According to the St. Johns County Sheriff's Office post, "A person convicted of Dangerous Excessive Speeding will face punishment."
The penalties stiffen with repeated offenses. The St. Johns County Sheriff's Office elucidated that first-time offenders could spend up to 90 days in jail or be fined $500, or perhaps both. Those audacious enough to flout the law a second time, or more, could see themselves jailed for up to six months, with a fine of $1,000 hanging over their heads as well. Moreover, serial speeders, convicted twice or more for Dangerous Excessive Speeding within a five-year window, could see their license revoked for a minimum of 180 days.
Driving at these mind-boggling speeds not only jeopardizes one's own life but the lives of others on the road. The admonishment from the St. Johns County Sheriff's Office concludes with a succinct plea for common sense: "Driving this fast puts lives at danger. Be smart, obey traffic laws, and SLOW DOWN!"
