Do you have a need for speed when you're behind the wheel? If you find yourself putting the pedal to the metal and pushing the speedometer past the legal limit, you could be risking much more than just irritating your fellow motorists.
Florida takes speeding violations seriously, and you could risk hefty penalties if you're caught cruising along too fast. Here's a closer look at the consequences of speeding tickets in Florida.
Traffic tickets in Florida are handled by individual counties. The fines for speeding vary slightly depending on where you receive the ticket. Fines are based on how far above the speed limit you’re driving, with penalties increasing the faster you go.
Using the City of Hialeah in Miami-Dade County as an example, here's what you might expect to pay for your Florida speeding ticket.:
Driving at excessive speeds, particularly going 50 mph or more over the speed limit, falls into a category of its own. A police officer can easily charge you with reckless driving for going this fast, and your penalties could include jail time.
A third charge of driving 50 mph or more over the speed limit can result in third-degree felony charges. Not only could you lose your license for up to 10 years and face fines of up to $5,000, but you could also face up to five years in prison!
In Florida, each speeding ticket also comes with a predetermined number of points assessed on your driver's license. This can lead to increased insurance rates and potential license suspension or revocation.
The number of points assigned depends on the speed you were driving and whether or not you were in an accident.
Accumulating points on your license can have serious consequences. As you rack up points, you’ll face the following penalties:
If your license is suspended, you can apply for a hardship license or wait for the suspension to expire. Then, you can apply for full reinstatement of your driving privileges by completing a 12-hour Advanced Driver Improvement (ADI) course and paying a reinstatement fee plus any other license fees that may apply.
Getting a speeding ticket in Florida can have consequences beyond fines and points on your license. For example, insurance providers view speeding violations as a sign of risky behavior and may use this as a reason to raise your insurance premiums. The exact increase will vary depending on your insurance company, driving history, and the severity of the violation. These increases can last for several years, seriously impacting your finances.
A speeding ticket can also have repercussions on your professional life. If you have a job such as a commercial or delivery driver, a clean driving record may be mandatory. Certain employers have strict policies regarding traffic violations. A history of speeding tickets can result in disciplinary actions or even termination.
Losing your license is a serious hassle, so it’s crucial to monitor your points and implement safe driving habits to avoid traffic violations. However, if you end up with points on your license, you may be able to reduce them by taking a defensive driving course.
A Florida basic driver improvement course can prevent the points from your ticket from being reported to your insurance company. It can also reduce speeding violation fines and get you a discount on your insurance premiums. If you are a habitual offender, the courts may require you to take an 8-hour traffic school course instead of the basic 4-hour course.
iDriveSafely offers online courses that are simple, engaging, and affordable. Sign up today, so you can complete the course at your own pace and remove points from your license on your terms.