Gov. Ron DeSantis on Friday signed legislation that creates a new misdemeanor criminal offense for drivers who engage in what the state now defines as dangerous excessive speeding.

The measure, HB 351, establishes penalties for motorists who exceed posted speed limits by 50 miles per hour or more, or who drive at speeds of 100 miles per hour or greater in a way that threatens the safety of others or interferes with surrounding traffic.

Under the new law, a first conviction may result in up to 30 days in jail, a $500 fine, or both. Repeat violations within five years can bring up to 90 days of incarceration, a $1,000 fine, or both, and also require the revocation of the driver’s license for a period ranging from 180 days to one year.

The legislation also mandates that drivers cited for speeding in excess of 50 mph over the limit appear at a court hearing. This requirement eliminates the option to simply pay a fine in lieu of appearing before a hearing officer, aligning the most serious speeding offenses with more formal judicial oversight.

In addition, the bill modifies current law by giving officers discretion to note civil penalties on citations issued for drivers clocked at 30 mph or more above the speed limit.

According to state law, Florida’s general speed limits are 30 mph in business and residential areas and 55 mph elsewhere, unless otherwise posted. Prior to this measure, driving at unlawful speeds was generally treated as a noncriminal traffic infraction, even in cases where a motorist exceeded the speed limit by a wide margin.

State courts have held that speeding alone does not meet the legal threshold for reckless driving, which requires proof of intentional or wanton disregard for safety.

The law is set to take effect July 1.