ORLANDO, Fla. — Aggressive driving and its sub-categories of road rage and street racing have been a persistent issue in the state of Florida over the past decade.
▶ WATCH CHANNEL 9 EYEWITNESS NEWS
The Florida Safety Council is proactively addressing the persistent problem of aggressive driving, including road rage and street racing, in Central Florida.
This effort will be supported by a $30,000 federal grant from the Florida Department of Transportation, awarded under the FY2025 Subgrant for Highway Traffic Safety Funds.
Early in 2024, two young men were arrested by Orange County Sheriff’s Deputies for traveling at speeds approaching 200 mph on the Florida Turnpike.
Residents in the area had begun reporting “street takeovers” and racing activities on various residential streets around 1 a.m. on Jan. 23, before the drivers of a Camaro and an unidentified black vehicle took their competition to the turnpike.
Read: Holly Hill Police Chief reflects on first 100 days on the job
Following the arrest of the two turnpike racers in January, the Orange County Sheriff’s Office announced a crackdown on racing activities, noting that last year (2023), they made 157 arrests, issued 1,290 citations, and seized 54 vehicles—and that was solely in Orange County.
The post-pandemic spike in Florida road rage incidents is being addressed legislatively and punitively and it also needs to be addressed with the proper behavioral tools so that offenders do not repeat or offend.
“Street racing is not just illegal and dangerous, it puts innocent lives at risk, causes property damage and can prevent emergency vehicles from reaching those in need,” said State Attorney Andrew Bain.
Read: Surfing Santas to catch some waves on Cocoa Beach
“The risk of getting yourself killed or ending up in jail simply isn’t worth it. Our office has added this 12-hour, two-day course to our Second Chance Program. Eligible first-time or repeat offenders facing eligible criminal traffic offenses like misdemeanor Racing, Felony Racing, or Reckless Driving will be required to complete this course as part of probation, a plea agreement, or sentencing after trial. The class is designed to prevent offenders from continuing these dangerous behaviors, which can have deadly consequences, by giving them the tools to make safer, more responsible decisions on the road.”
Read: Orlando Health is urging the community to be fire smart this holiday season
With a $29,000 grant awarded through the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT), the Safety Council can offer the class free to offenders who lack economic resources and other at-risk individuals.
This is significant because one of the conditions associated with frequent road rage/ aggressive driving is “Intermittent Explosive Disorder (IED),” which occurs most commonly (according to the Mayo Clinic) among unemployed and economically disadvantaged individuals with a family history of anger or violence.
The Florida Safety Council plans to introduce the course into Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) District 5 in the coming months, specifically in the greater Orlando area and Brevard County.
With multiple offices—Orlando, Kissimmee, Melbourne, Casselberry, and Lakeland—the Florida Safety Council can spread the training over several venues and offer a live virtual option.
Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.