Jacob Ogles
The House is roaring ahead with a possible increase for speed limits on Florida highways.
The House Commerce Committee advanced a transportation package (HB 567) that covers an array of issues involving transportation.
One aspect that could immediately impact Florida drivers would be the boost of the maximum allowable vehicle speed on limited access highways to 75 miles per hour, up from 70 mph now. It would also raise speed limits on other highways outside urban areas from 65 mph to 70 mph, and would allow the Florida Department of Transportation to set speed limits on all other roadways as high as 65 mph.
Rep. Fiona McFarland, a Sarasota Republican, said the idea was discussed among Representatives during the Legislative Session.
“Floridians just want to get where we’re going faster,” she said.
In committee, McFarland also presented changes to the package to allow drivers to contest citations issued through cameras at school bus stops. The bill would also prohibit public airports from charging landing fees for colleges during test flights.
The legislative package sped through committee with little debate and no votes against it. That’s the third stop for the bill, which hasn’t been slowed by a single “no” vote.
That means the bill is now ready to swerve onto the House floor for a vote there.
The Senate also included speed limit boosts in its own transportation package, which already blew through its last committee stop. That bill (SB 462) was just scheduled for the Senate Special Order Calendar for Wednesday.
Of note, both chambers opted to include the speed hike in transportation omnibus bills.
That’s a different approach than one taken more than a decade ago when the Legislature also felt a need for speed. In 2014, after passing a bill dealing exclusively with speed limits, former Gov. Rick Scott slammed the brakes on the effort with his veto pen.
Gov. Ron DeSantis hasn’t publicly commented on the speed limit proposal this year. But if he were to object, he would have to nix whatever full package the Legislature chooses to pass this Session.
8 comments
Michael K
April 22, 2025 at 1:14 pm
You think your car insurance rates are already high?
Just wait.
TJC
April 22, 2025 at 2:12 pm
Exactly.
Katherine Jones
April 22, 2025 at 3:17 pm
I made $300 in a single day! It was the best day ever, and my boss was thoroughly satisfied. CNN is also amazed and delighted with my work. Learn more by
Go ON my ProFILE
Really
April 22, 2025 at 1:21 pm
News flash: cars already “rocket” more than 75 mph, so give it a rest. Still well within design speeds.
Foghorn Leghorn
April 22, 2025 at 2:04 pm
Michael K has a valid point and you are correct that these cars are capable of higher speeds. The weak link is the driver and lack of maintenance on most vehicles, primarily tires and brakes. Most people are crappy drivers. I lived in Germany for a few years and can confirm that the written tests were very comprehensive and cars must go through an annual safety inspection. Bad tires and brakes? Then you flunk and can’t get a tag until you clear that discrepancy.
TJC
April 22, 2025 at 2:12 pm
Another stupid solution in search of a problem. These legislators would rather do anything than address disgustingly high auto and home insurance rates
.“Floridians just want to get where we’re going faster,” says Rep. Fiona McFarland.
She doesn’t speak for all of us. How many of her constituents were clamoring for this speed rate increase?
Foghorn Leghorn
April 22, 2025 at 2:17 pm
What is your proposal to lower auto and home insurance? I would like to hear it. I’m all in favor of putting Morgan and Morgan and the rest of the ambulance chasers out of business.
TJC
April 22, 2025 at 4:15 pm
It has been shown — and reported thoroughly — that insurance companies in Florida have claimed near-bankruptcy while secreting away millions to their other holdings out of state. My proposal is for either the State or the Feds pursue an investigation of the sworn statements these companies have made regarding their “losses” and “need” to raise rates in Florida while hiding their practice of sending their earnings to other entities that they own to cover up their profits here.