Driver charged under Florida’s new dangerous excessive speeding law

The Florida Highway Patrol announced an arrest on I-75 in North Fort Myers Thursday under Florida’s “dangerous excessive speeding” statute, established by House Bill 351 which took effect July 1. The new law creates a new criminal offense (FSS 316.1922) for driving 50 mph over the speed limit or at 100 mph or more in a dangerous manner.

Troopers pulled over a BMW X2 clocked at 118 miles per hour (MPH) in a 70 MPH zone on I-75 in North Fort Myers. Driver Zacharia Schley was arrested and charged with dangerous excessive speeding “Super Speeder.” Passenger Stephen Garya was allegedly found to have multiple felony warrants out of Texas. Both were arrested and booked into Lee County Jail.

Penalties under the new “Dangerous Excessive Speeding” include a $500 fine and/or 30 days in jail for a first offense, and up to 90 days in jail and a $1,000 fine for subsequent offenses.

A conviction within five years of a prior one results in mandatory driver’s license revocation for at least six months.