WINDERMERE, Fla. — A new Florida law went into effect Monday, which increases penalties for street racing.

What You Need To Know

  • A new Florida law kicked off Monday increasing penalties for street racing

  • The changes to the law include making the second offense a felony, increasing fines to deter racing or spectator participation and adding a special enhancement for blocking emergency vehicles

  • In Windermere, some residents say street racing has been a headache for years

The Orange County Sheriff’s Office says it’s a dangerous problem in the county and across the state.

The changes to the law include making the second offense a felony, increasing fines to deter racing or spectator participation and adding a special enhancement for blocking emergency vehicles.

In Windermere, some residents say street racing has been a headache for years.

The speed limit on Serenity Bend is 15 miles per hour, but neighbors say that road seems to be the biggest problem and they’ve seen street racing and stunt driving.

Holly Marino, who has lived in the city for over three years, says it happens off and on.

“They’re coming up really fast and just spinning the tires, spinning the tires, which sounds like screaming that late at night,” she said. “My concern is that they’re going to end up in one of those iron fences and we’re going to see one of those young bodies on the road.”

Marino says Senate Bill 1764 becoming law and kicking off Monday is better than nothing.

With this new law, first-time offenders involved in street racing, street takeovers and stunt driving can face fines up to $2,000 and lose their license for one year.

The second offense within a year of the first arrest could result in a $4,000 fine and loss of a driver’s license for two years.

Drivers could also face a third-degree felony if someone in a street takeover, interferes with the movement of an emergency vehicle, which can result in a $4,000 fine and five years in prison.

Despite the new law, Marino still has concerns. She’s had sleepless nights because of it and has a message for the Orange County Sheriff’s Office.

“What are the steps that are going to be taken to be able to enforce those laws? If there’s nobody policing it and making sure it doesn’t go on, why would they worry,” she said. “We’re hoping at some point the right person gets the message before something really bad has to happen,” she said.

A spokesperson for the Orange County Sheriff’s Office said in an email to Spectrum News one of Sheriff John Mina’s 2024 legislative priorities was to beef up Florida law to make a second offense a felony.

“For more than a year, we have been participating in street racing details, with a specific focus of stopping these activities,” said the email. “We have made more than 175 arrests and issued nearly 1,500 citations associated with these details. Since these drivers are mobile, they often flee when law enforcement arrives, and that fleeing makes the streets even more dangerous for other drivers. And oftentimes the violators have left the area before law enforcement can arrive.”

The Orange County Sheriff’s Office asks that if you witness street racing in the county, you report it by calling 911 or calling their non-emergency number (407) 836-4357.