Florida’s Speed Limit Debate Accelerates: Are Higher Highways Limits the Right Road?
The Florida Legislature is on the fast track to changing how drivers move across the Sunshine State. Lawmakers are considering raising the speed limit on interstate highways and other major roadways, a proposal that is igniting heated discussions over safety, efficiency, and the very culture of Florida driving. With bipartisan support and a narrow window before the legislative session ends in early May, the decisions to be made could have consequences for millions.
At the heart of the debate are Senate Bill 462 and House Bill 567 which would boost the maximum speed on interstates and Florida’s Turnpike from 70 mph to 75 mph. In rural areas, the speed for four-lane divided highways could climb from 65 mph to 70 mph, while other currently 60 mph roads could be increased to 65 mph where it is considered “safe and advisable.” State Rep. Fiona McFarland, a Sarasota Republican and the House sponsor, touted the measure as part of a sweeping transportation agenda, praising Florida’s “fantastic transportation system” and aiming for “excellence in how we travel around our state.”
However, the proposal’s rapid progress belies serious reservations. The AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety has argued that raising posted speed limits does little to improve commute times but could instead lead to upticks in crashes, injuries, and fatalities. A 2023 AAA study found increased crash frequency on two out of three major highways after previous speed limit jumps. Jennifer Ryan, AAA’s director of state relations, made the point bluntly: “The benefits are overrated, and the risks are understated.” And a 2024 AAA report warned of a “spillover effect,” with higher limits on highways causing more accidents on adjacent roads, creating dangers even for those not using the newly faster routes.
Local voices echo such worries. Boca Raton retiree Howard Hatoff compared driving on I-95 to a nightmare and called current limits “fast enough.” He raised concerns that reckless drivers would only go faster if allowed. Echoes of caution resound in recent history; in 2014, then-Governor Rick Scott vetoed a similar measure due to stern warnings from law enforcement about exacerbating risks and the severity of injuries in crash outcomes. As Scott wrote, increased speed isn’t the only accident cause, “but they clearly contribute to... needless injuries and deaths.”
While the speed limit bill speeds ahead, other driving-related proposals face more roadblocks. The state Senate has passed a bill toughening rules on cellphone use while driving, aiming for a comprehensive hands-free requirement—a move quickly supported by AAA and seen as crucial in combating distracted driving. Conversely, plans to restrict lingering in left highway lanes and require front license plates for all vehicles have stalled, hindered by concerns over enforcement and steep costs respectively.
The backdrop of these debates is public frustration over the legislature’s focus. Some, as seen in a recent opinion column, are “ticked off” that lawmakers prioritize speed limits over tackling high auto insurance rates—arguing that more crashes from higher speeds could mean more claims, injuries, and deaths.
As the clock ticks down on Florida’s legislative session, state policymakers face a critical choice: pursue the allure of faster travel or heed expert warnings about public safety. This debate—over the right balance between efficiency, freedom, and responsibility—runs deeper than the numbers on a speedometer.
What’s your take on Florida’s proposed speed limit changes? Should lawmakers prioritize safety over speed, or are higher limits a necessary modernization? Join the conversation below and share your perspective.
