Street takeovers, illegal racing, and reckless driving are being targeted by the United States Department of Transportation. States such as Florida, Ohio, and Connecticut are implementing laws and legislative decrees through which exceeding 100 mph will constitute a crime that includes the possibility of jail time in its penalties.
In Florida, this is being carried out thanks to the approval of House Bill No. 7260, and in Ohio through House Bill 56, which includes illegal racing. Street takeovers not only pose a risk to road safety and violate traffic laws, but they also seem to have created a car culture that is promoted and fueled through social media. These events also generate incidents such as thefts, which are also included in House Bill 7260.
Street takeovers
A street takeover is an illegal (and often massive) gathering of people and vehicles on a specific public street or intersection, where dangerous maneuvers such as donuts, burnouts, or drifts are performed. They are always organized at night and advertised through social media. The main goal is to put on a show, but creating a risk for the people present and for the rest of the traffic.
Measures against street takeovers
The United States Department of Transportation has determined that this is a problem that needs to be addressed, as it is creating a serious risk to road safety. For this reason, several affected states have begun drafting new laws to toughen their measures, aiming to curb this dangerous car culture. In the case of Florida, in 2025, House Bill No. 7260 was approved, under which driving over 100 mph or exceeding the speed limit by more than 50 mph will be considered a crime. Penalties include 30 days in jail or a $500 fine for the first offense.
In the case of a repeat offender, both the fine and jail time would increase, and they could even lose their driver’s license. Meanwhile, Ohio has enacted House Bill 56. With this, the consequences for street takeovers are increased, as well as performing stunts or fleeing from the police.
Social media gets involved
The problem with this practice goes beyond setting a speed limit. On one hand, it not only endangers those who participate in it but also the spectators. Furthermore, it obstructs roads, preventing emergency vehicles from moving freely. One of the most difficult problems to tackle is its proliferation through social media. While road control seems more tangible, the way drivers and spectators are attracted to these kinds of events gets lost in the speed of social networks. These events not only pose a risk to road safety but are also moments when many criminals take advantage to carry out street robberies.
Desperate times call for desperate measures
Given the difficulty of controlling certain aspects of these events, the measures have been significantly tightened. In the chaos of Miami-Dade, Florida, having 10 or more cars could be grounds for being charged with common crimes, having to pay hefty fines, and vehicles and bicycles could even be confiscated, accompanied by the temporary suspension of the driver’s license. As the saying goes, desperate times call for desperate measures, and this new measure of limiting speed to 100 mph is just one way to curb other problems.
So remember, if you live in Florida, Ohio, or Connecticut, these new laws are in effect, and given the seriousness of the matter, I wouldn’t rule out the possibility that these measures could be further strengthened to protect road safety.