Florida state senator proposes bill to increase penalties for street racers

ORLANDO, Fla. — Law enforcement officials across Central Florida have been working to crack down on street racing ever since incidents started picking up at the beginning of the pandemic.

Now Florida Sen. Linda Stewart, from Orlando, wants to fight the problem in Tallahassee. Stewart co-sponsored a bill for this upcoming session she hopes will help stop the problem.

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Florida Highway Patrol officials said they typically would see these races happening at night, but now they are even seeing them during the daytime and on weekdays.

“In my 27 years of being a trooper has never been this bad,” Lt. Kim Montes said.

READ: 15 car crash in Seminole County possibly caused by street racing, troopers say

Montes said so far in 2021, FHP is reviewing four fatal crashes in Central Florida where they suspect racing is the cause.

Stewart said law enforcement officers she has spoken with are in favor of the legislation.

Read: More than 26 people hospitalized after 17-vehicle crash shuts down SR-417, firefighters say

“We’re just trying to give them the tools to do their job. And without these tools, it makes it harder and harder,” Stewart said.

Under the current law, spectators can face up to a $500 fine and receive points on their licenses.

READ: ‘Every single weekend’: Troopers say they break up illegal street races so often it’s straining their resources

Stewart’s bill calls for first-time offenders to be charged with a misdemeanor, to be fined up to $1,000 and to have their licenses revoked for one year.

VIDEO: 15 car crash in Seminole County possibly caused by street racing, troopers say The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating a serious crash that occurred Saturday night. (Jeff Levkulich, WFTV.com/WFTV)

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