HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES STAFF ANALYSIS
BILL #: CS/CS/HB 449 Motor Vehicle Racing Penalties
SPONSOR(S): Judiciary Committee, Criminal Justice Subcommittee, Michael and others
TIED BILLS: IDEN./SIM. BILLS: CS/SB 1764
REFERENCE ACTION ANALYST STAFF DIRECTOR or
BUDGET/POLICY CHIEF
1) Criminal Justice Subcommittee 18 Y, 0 N, As CS Butcher Hall
2) Justice Appropriations Subcommittee 13 Y, 0 N Smith Keith
3) Judiciary Committee 15 Y, 0 N, As CS Butcher Kramer
SUMMARY ANALYSIS
Florida law prohibits the following racing activities on highways, roadways, or parking lots, unless sanctioned
by the proper authorities: driving a motor vehicle, including a motorcycle, in any: race; street takeover; stunt
driving; speed competition or contest; drag race; test of physical endurance; or exhibition of speed or
acceleration or for making a speed record; participating in, coordinating, facilitating, collecting money, filming or
recording, or carrying fuel, for any such race; knowingly riding as a passenger in any such race; or purposefully
stopping or slowing traffic movement for any such race.
Generally, a racing violation is a first degree misdemeanor and being a spectator at a race is punishable as a
noncriminal traffic infraction.
CS/CS/HB 449 amends s. 316.191, F.S., to:
Increase the fine for a violation of s. 316.191(2), F.S., from $500 to $1,000, to $500 to $2,000.
Decrease the time period during which a second violation of s. 316.191(2), F.S., will result in an
enhanced penalty, from within five years after the date of a prior violation that resulted in conviction,
to within one year of such violation; and
o Increase the penalty for such a violation from a first degree misdemeanor to a third degree
felony.
o Increase the fine for such a violation from $1,000 to $3,000, to $2,500 to $4,000.
Create a third degree felony for any person who violates s. 316.191(2), F.S., and, in the course of
committing the offense, knowingly impedes, obstructs, or interferes with an authorized emergency
vehicle, as defined in s. 316.003(1), that is on call and responding to an emergency other than a
violation of s. 316.191(2), F.S.
Create a second degree felony, in addition to a four year driver license revocation, for a second or
subsequent violation of the above described offense.
Increase the penalty for a third or subsequent violation of s. 316.191(2), F.S., within five years after
the date of a prior violation that resulted in a conviction, from a first degree misdemeanor to a third
degree felony, and increase the fine from $2,000 to $5,000, to $3,500 to $7,500.
Increase the spectator fine under s. 316.191(4), F.S., from $65 to $250.
The bill may have a positive indeterminate impact on jail and prison beds by increasing the penalty for
specified racing offenses from a misdemeanor to a felony, and by creating a new felony racing offense if a
person knowingly impedes, obstructs, or interferes with an authorized emergency vehicle that is on call and
responding to an emergency. The bill may also have an indeterminate, yet positive impact on state and local
revenues by increasing fines relating to specified racing and spectator offenses.
The bill provides an effective date of July 1, 2024.
This docum ent does not reflect the intent or official position of the bill sponsor or House of Representatives .
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DATE: 2/21/2024
FULL ANALYSIS
I. SUBSTANTIVE ANALYSIS
A. EFFECT OF PROPOSED CHANGES:
Background
Street-racing involves cars, motorcycles, and other motor vehicles engaging in prearranged or
spontaneous competitions on roadways. The practice endangers participants, bystanders, and
property. In addition to street-racing, another dangerous activity which has recently grown in popularity
across the country is known as a “street takeover.”1 Street takeovers occur when large numbers of cars
and occupants gather at a predetermined site, typically a large intersection. Vehicles are then parked in
a manner which blocks the intersection to make a space for other cars to perform donuts, drifting, burn-
outs and other dangerous vehicular maneuvers.2 Due to the large size of these gatherings, law
enforcement may experience difficultly responding to and controlling these events because of the time
it takes to assemble appropriate law enforcement resources to address the crowd. Typically, by the
time law enforcement presence is detected, the vehicles participating in the street takeover flee the
location, along with the many bystanders who were present to watch the cars.3
In Jacksonville, street takeover participants acknowledged that their meet-ups have anywhere from 300
to thousands of people in attendance,4 and residents nearby indicate that these events are dangerous
and often continue until well past midnight.5 In 2023, the Orange County Sheriff's Office made 157
arrests, issued 1,290 citations, and seized 54 vehicles related to dangerous and illegal street racing.6 In
Miami, police arrested a suspect accused of organizing street races and intersection takeovers in South
Florida dating back to 2022.7 According to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor
Vehicles, between 2018 and 2022, there were 6,641 citations issued under s. 316.191, F.S, for either
street racing and stunt driving, or for actively participating as a spectator, with the majority of citations
issued to persons between 16 and 29 years old.8
Racing Offenses
Under s. 316.191(1)(g), F.S., a “race” means the use of one or more motor vehicles in competition,
arising from a challenge to demonstrate superiority of a motor vehicle or driver and the acceptance or
competitive response to that challenge, either through a prior arrangement or in immediate response, in
which the competitor attempts to outgain or outdistance another motor vehicle, to prevent another
motor vehicle from passing, to arrive at a given destination ahead of another motor vehicle or motor
vehicles, or to test the physical stamina or endurance of drivers over long-distance driving routes. A
race may be prearranged or may occur through a competitive response to conduct on the part of one or
1 Erin Myers, Car that crashed into Van Nuys b uilding, killing 1, was b eing followed b y police after doing donuts in street takeover
(October 25, 2021), ktla.com, https://ktla.com/news/local-news/car-that-crashed-into-van-nuys-building-killing-1-was-being-followed-by-
police-after-doing-donuts-in-street-takeover/ (last visited Feb. 21, 2024).
2 Elizabeth Fuller, What’s a Street “Takeover” and Why Should You Be Concerned?, Larchmont Buzz (Sept. 21, 2020),
https://www.larchmontbuzz.com/featured-stories-larchmont-village/whats-a-street-takeover-and-why-you-should-be-concerned/ (last
visited Feb. 21, 2024).
3 Thom Taylor, Street Takeovers Are Turning More Deadly, MotorBiscuit (Nov. 15, 2021), https://www.motorbiscuit.com/street-
takeovers-turning-more-deadly/ (last visited Feb. 21, 2024).
4 Corley Peel, I-TEAM: Local car group speaks following street takeover complaints, News4Jax (Jan. 17, 2022),
https://www.news4jax.com/news/local/2022/01/16/local-car-group-speaks-following-street-takeover-complaints/ (last visited Feb. 21,
2024).
5 Scott Johnson, I-TEAM: Complaints continue over car groups driving erratically in vacant parking lots , News4Jax (Jan. 13, 2022),
https://www.news4jax.com/news/local/2022/01/13/i-team-complaints-continue-over-dangerous-driving-in-vacant-parking-lots/ (last
visited Feb. 21, 2024).
6 Aurielle Eady, 2 men clocked going 199 mph while street racing on Florida Turnpike, deputies say , Fox 35 Orlando (Jan. 23, 2024),
https://www.fox35orlando.com/news/2-men-clocked-going-199-mph-while-street-racing-on-florida-turnpike-deputies-say (last visited
Feb. 21, 2024).
7 Brian Hamacher, Alleged main organizer of Miami-Dade street races and intersection takeovers arrested, NBC Miami (Jan. 18, 2024),
https://www.nbcmiami.com/news/local/alleged-main-organizer-of-miami-dade-street-races-and-intersection-takeovers-
arrested/3209953/ (last visited Feb. 21, 2024).
8 Street Racing/Takeovers, Stunt Driving, FLHSMV, https://www.flhsmv.gov/safety-center/driving-safety/stop-racing/ (last visited Feb.
21, 2024).
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more drivers which, under the totality of the circumstances, can reasonably be interpreted as a
challenge to race.
A “drag race” is a specific type of race involving:
Two9 or more motor vehicles driven side-by-side at accelerating speeds in a competitive
attempt to outdistance each other; or
One or more motor vehicles driven over a common selected course, from the same starting
point to the same ending point, for the purpose of comparing the relative speed or power of
acceleration of such motor vehicle or vehicles within a certain distance or time limit.10
A “street takeover” is the taking over of a portion of a highway, roadway, or parking lot by blocking or
impeding the regular flow of traffic to perform a race, drag race, burnout, doughnut, drifting, wheelie, or
other stunt driving.11
“Stunt driving” means to perform or engage in any burnouts, doughnuts, drifting, wheelies, or other
dangerous motor vehicle activity on a highway, roadway, or parking lot as part of a street takeover. 12
Florida law prohibits the following racing activities on any highway, roadway, or parking lot, unless
sanctioned by the proper authorities:13
Driving a motor vehicle, including a motorcycle, in a:
o Race;
o Street takeover;
o Stunt driving;
o Speed competition or contest;
o Drag race or acceleration contest;
o Test of physical endurance; or
o Exhibition of speed or acceleration for the purpose of making a speed record;14
Participating in, coordinating, facilitating, or collecting money at a race, drag race, street
takeover, stunt driving, competition, contest, test, or exhibition;
Knowingly riding as a passenger in a race, drag race, street takeover, stunt driving, competition,
contest, test, or exhibition;
Purposefully causing the movement of traffic, including pedestrian traffic, to slow, stop, or be
impeded in any way for any such race, drag race, street takeover, stunt driving, competition,
contest, test, or exhibition;
Operating a motor vehicle for the purpose of filming or recording the activities of participants in
any such race, drag race, street takeover, stunt driving, competition, contest, test, or exhibition,
not including bona fide members of the news media; or
Operating a motor vehicle carrying any amount of fuel for the purposes of fueling a motor
vehicle involved in any such race, drag race, street takeover, stunt driving, competition, contest,
test, or exhibition.15
A racing violation is a first degree misdemeanor,16 punishable by up to one year in county jail.17
Additionally, a court must impose the following penalties:
For a violation with no prior convictions in the preceding five years, a fine of $500 up to $1,000
and a one year driver license suspension.
For a second violation within five years of a prior violation resulting in a conviction, a fine of
$1,000 up to $3,000 and a two year driver license suspension.
9 Drag racing most commonly involves two motor vehicles operating side -by-side. National Hot Rod Association, Basics of Drag Racing,
http://www.nhra.com/nhra101/basics.aspx (last visited Feb. 21, 2024).
10 S. 316.191(1)(d), F.S.
11 S. 316.191(1)(i), F.S.
12 S. 316.191(1)(j), F.S.
13 S. 316.191(7), F.S.
14 S. 316.191(2), F.S.
15 Id.
16 Id.
17 S. 775.082, F.S.
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For a third or subsequent violation within five years of a prior violation resulting in a conviction, a
fine of $2,000 up to $5,000 and a four year driver license suspension. 18
In addition to the criminal penalties provided, a person who commits a racing violation must pay a $65
penalty.19 Monies collected pursuant to this additional penalty are remitted to the Department of
Revenue for deposit into the Emergency Medical Services Trust Fund of the Department of Health to
be used to ensure the availability and accessibility of trauma services throughout the state as provided
in s. 316.192, F.S.
Section 316.191, F.S., also prohibits a person from being a spectator at a drag race. To be considered
a spectator, a person must knowingly be present at and view a drag race or street takeover, when such
presence is the result of an affirmative choice to attend or participate in the event. For purposes of
determining whether or not an individual is a spectator, the finder of fact must consider the relationship
between the motor vehicle operator and the individual, evidence of gambling or betting on the outcome
of the event, filming or recording the event, posting the event on social media, and any other factor that
would tend to show knowing attendance or participation. Being a spectator at a drag race is a
noncriminal traffic infraction, punishable as a moving violation as provided in ch. 318, F.S. 20
Criminal Punishment Code
Felony offenses which are subject to the Criminal Punishment Code 21 are listed in a single offense
severity ranking chart (OSRC),22 which uses 10 offense levels to rank felonies from least severe to
most severe. Each felony offense listed in the OSRC is assigned a level according to the severity of the
offense.23,24 A person’s primary offense, any other current offenses, and prior convictions are scored
using the points designated for the offense severity level of each offense. 25,26 The final score
calculation, following the scoresheet formula, determines the lowest permissible sentence that a trial
court may impose, absent a valid reason for departure.27
Effect of Proposed Changes
CS/CS/HB 449 amends s. 316.191, F.S., to:
Increase the fine for a violation of s. 316.191(2), F.S., from $500 to $1,000, to $500 to $2,000.
Decrease the time period during which a second violation of s. 316.191(2), F.S., will result in an
enhanced penalty, from within five years after the date of a prior violation that resulted in
conviction, to within one year of such violation; and
o Increase the penalty for such a violation from a first degree misdemeanor to a third
degree felony.28
o Increase the fine for such a violation from $1,000 to $3,000, to $2,500 to $4,000.
Create a third degree felony for any person who violates s. 316.191(2), F.S., and, in the course
of committing the offense, knowingly impedes, obstructs, or interferes with an authorized
emergency vehicle, as defined in s. 316.003(1), that is on call and responding to an emergency
other than a violation of s. 316.191(2), F.S.
18 S. 316.191(3), F.S.
19 S. 318.18(20), F.S.
20 S. 316.191(4), F.S.
21 All felony offenses, with the exception of capital felonies, committed on or after October 1, 1998, are subject to the Crimin al
Punishment Code. S. 921.002, F.S.
22 S. 921.0022, F.S.
23 S. 921.0022(2), F.S.
24 Felony offenses that are not listed in the OSRC default to statutorily assigned levels, as follows: an unlisted third -degree felony
defaults to a level 1; an unlisted second-degree felony defaults to a level 4; an unlisted first-degree felony defaults to a level 7; an
unlisted first-degree felony punishable by life defaults to a level 9; and an unlisted life felony defaults to a level 10. S. 921.0023, F.S.
25 Ss. 921.0022 and 921.0024, F.S.
26 A person may also accumulate points for factors such as victim injury points, community sanction violation points, and certai n
sentencing multipliers. S. 921.0024(1), F.S.
27 If a person scores more than 44 points, the lowest permissible sentence is a spec ified term of months in state prison, determined by
a formula. If a person scores 44 points or fewer, the court may impose a nonprison sanction, such as a county jail sentence, probation,
or community control. S. 921.0024(2), F.S.
28 A third degree felony is punishable by up to five years in prison and a $5,000 fine. Ss. 775.082, 775.083, or 775.084, F.S.
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Create a second degree felony,29 in addition to a four year driver license revocation, for a
second or subsequent violation of the above described offense.
Increase the penalty for a third or subsequent violation of s. 316.191(2), F.S., within five years
after the date of a prior violation that resulted in a conviction, from a first degree misdemeanor
to a third degree felony, and