ORLANDO, Fla. – A 17-year-old was caught driving at a shocking speed of 141 mph on State Road 408, according to the Florida Highway Patrol (FHP).
Troopers said the teenager was behind the wheel of a BMW M550i, going more than twice the posted speed limit of 60 mph. Officers quickly pulled him over, arrested him, and took him to the Orange County Juvenile Detention Center.
“In Florida, the speed limit NEVER exceeds 70 mph,” FHP reminded drivers in a public statement. “Slow down!”
More Speeding Cases Reported
This was not the only recent case of extreme speeding in the area. Earlier this week, the sheriff’s office released footage of another driver caught speeding at 129 mph in a 70 mph zone.
Speeding has become a growing concern in Orange County. Last month alone, deputies issued 101 citations to drivers going at least 100 mph—the highest number recorded in a single month since 2020.
Traffic safety expert Trooper Steve noted that speeding has increased significantly since the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We started seeing speeds we had never seen before on such a regular basis, whether it’s on highways like 417 or I-4,” Trooper Steve said. “People are hitting 100 miles per hour all the time.”
Push for Stricter Penalties
Orange County Sheriff John Mina is urging lawmakers to introduce stricter consequences for reckless speeding.
He is proposing that “super speeding” (driving excessively over the speed limit) should be treated as seriously as reckless driving. His proposed penalties include:
- A $2,500 fine
- License suspension for six months
- Mandatory court appearance
- Vehicle impoundment for 30 days
Sheriff Mina believes that increasing fines and enforcing stricter penalties will help discourage reckless driving.
“You can hand out flyers and post on social media all you want, but people only start paying attention when they feel it in their wallets or lose their driving privileges,” Trooper Steve explained.
If these proposed changes are approved, repeat offenders could face even harsher penalties. A second offense could result in a $5,000 fine and license suspension for one year.
Law enforcement officials hope these measures will reduce dangerous speeding and prevent fatal accidents on Florida’s highways.
