Summary of State Speed Laws - NHTSA

JURISDICTION: FLORIDA
This chapter summarizes Florida State statutes related to speed.
General References: Florida Statutes Annotated and Florida Administrative Code
(FAC)
Basis for a Speed Law Violation:
Basic Speed Rule: No person shall drive a vehicle at a speed greater than is
reasonable and prudent under the conditions and having
regard to the actual and potential hazards then existing.
§316.183(1) and (4)
Statutory Speed Limit: 70 mph on limited access highways. 94 §316.187(2)(a)
See Other below. 55 mph in all locations except as noted. §316.183(2)
30 mph 95 in business and residence districts. §§316.183(2)
and 316.189(2)(a)
Posted (Maximum) Speed Limit: I. After engineering and traffic investigations, the State or
local governments (within their jurisdictions) may increase or
decrease the statutory speed limit on a highway. 96 However,
the State cannot establish a speed limit >70 mph and local
jurisdictions cannot establish a maximum speed limit >60
mph. §316.187(1) and (2)(c) and 316.189(1) and (2)(b)
II. Under separate statutory authority, the State Department of
Transportation or a local government may reduce the speed
limits otherwise proscribed by law on any highway (or part
thereof) or bridge. Such action must be based on the need to
avoid damage to such highway or bridge due to either its
design or to weather-related conditions. §316.555. Note:
Under such authority, it may be possible to provide for
different speeds for different types of vehicles.
Minimum Speed Limit: I. No person shall drive a motor vehicle at such a slow speed
as to impede or block the normal and reasonable movement of
traffic. §316.183(5)
II. The minimum speed limit on Interstate and Defense
Highways, with at lest 4 lanes, is 40 mph. §316.183(2)
III. A person driving at less than the normal speed of traffic
shall drive in the right-hand lane then available
for traffic or as close as practicable to the right-hand curb or
edge of the roadway. §316.081(2)
94
Other provisions of law establish the maximum speed limit of 65 mph on any other highway which has 4 lanes that are
divided by a median strip and which are located outside of urban areas with populations ≥5,000. §316.187(2)(b)
95
After an investigation, local authorities may establish a maximum speed limit of 20 mph or 25 mph in residence districts.
§316.183
96
The State Department of Transportation or a local government may “regulate” any class or size of motor vehicle, trailer or
semi-trailer upon any part of a highway under their respective jurisdictions when in their judgments such action is needed
for public safety due to “traffic density” or “intensive use” of such highway. §316.555. Note: Such “regulation” could
include the establishment of special speed limits for certain classes or types of vehicles on certain segments of a highway.
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SPEED 2005