Florida is in the middle of a war on speeding. As part of its crackdown on heavy right feet, the Sunshine State instituted a new law for drivers who exceed 100 mph or drive much faster than the posted speed limit. However, as police keep arresting people, like a woman who hit 113 mph for an admittedly silly reason, the effectiveness of the law is up for debate.

Police in Florida arrested a woman for hitting 113 mph while she was ‘going to pick up her dog’

Yasiria Cachonatal, 32, was driving near Orlando, Florida, when a police officer caught her speeding using a radar gun. Her speed? 113 mph.

According to WESH 2 News, the police officer observed Cachonatal as she “did not attempt to slow down at any time.” Fortunately, the Florida woman pulled over for the officer.

When the police officer asked her what possible reason she had for driving so quickly, her response was a bit rough. “I’m going to pick up my dog,” Cachonatal said. See? Rough.

The consequences for her crime, on the other hand, are worse than ever due to Florida’s new “super speeder” law. Under the new law, drivers charged with dangerous excessive speeding can expect up to 30 days in prison for a first offense. Ouch.

Lawmakers in the Sunshine State assert that the law’s purpose is not only to crack down on excessive speeding, but encourage drivers to mind their speed before getting into trouble with the authorities. But the 25-day-old law doesn’t seem to be discouraging every Floridian from applying too much throttle. 

The new ‘super speeder’ law is sending people to jail, but not stopping them in the first place

Just one day after Cachonatal ended up in handcuffs on the side of the road, police stopped 19-year-old Jonerick Fuentes for excessive speed. According to the authorities who pulled Fuentes over, the young driver hit 105 mph before the stop.

But Cachonatal and Fuentes are just the latest violators during the new law’s short tenure. A little over one week ago, police arrested a man in Cape Coral, Florida, for driving 101 mph. His reason? He was “hungry.” 

It’s not just 100 mph, either. The same law holds that any speed exceeding the posted limit by 50 mph qualifies for the same consequences. Think 85 mph in a 35 mph zone. That’s really moving.

But with new arrests popping up every week, the law hasn’t been successful in stopping every reckless driver from doubling or even tripling the speed limit.

spee