This document does not reflect the intent or official position of the bill sponsor or House of Representatives.
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DATE: 3/22/2022
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES STAFF FINAL BILL ANALYSIS
BILL #: CS/CS/CS/HB 399 Motor Vehicle and Vessel Law Enforcement
SPONSOR(S): Judiciary Committee and Tourism, Infrastructure & Energy Subcommittee and Criminal Justice
& Public Safety Subcommittee, Rodriguez
TIED BILLS: IDEN./SIM. BILLS: CS/CS/CS/SB 876
FINAL HOUSE FLOOR ACTION: 113 Y’s
0 N’s GOVERNOR’S ACTION: Pending
SUMMARY ANALYSIS
CS/CS/CS/HB 399 passed the House on March 4, 2022, and subsequently passed the Senate on March 4,
2022.
Recently, dangerous events known as “street takeovers” have grown in popularity across the country. These events
involve large numbers of vehicles and persons gathering at a predetermined site, typically blocking a large
intersection, for vehicles to perform drifting, burn-outs, and other dangerous vehicular maneuvers. Due to the large
size of these gatherings, it may be difficult for law enforcement to respond to and control such events.
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, 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, or collecting money at any such race, competition, test, or exhibition location; knowingly
riding as a passenger in any such race, competition, test, or exhibition; or purposefully stopping or slowing traffic
movement for any such race, competition, test, or exhibition.
A racing violation is a first degree misdemeanor, punishable by up to one year in county jail and specified fines. A
person may be arrested without a warrant if there is probable cause to believe he or she has committed a racing
violation. Additionally, being a spectator at a drag race is punishable as a noncriminal traffic infraction.
The bill amends s. 316.191(2), F.S., to add additional types of vehicles and additional prohibited conduct including a
street takeover, stunt driving, and operating a vehicle to film or record prohibited activities or to carry fuel for other
vehicles involved in prohibited activities. The bill defines the terms “burnout,” “doughnut,” “drifting,” “motor vehicle,”
“street takeover,” “stunt driving,” and “wheelie.” The bill amends the definition of “spectator” to include a person who
is knowingly present at and views a street takeover and provides that evidence of filming or recording such an event
or posting the event on social media are factors to be considered in determining whether a person qualifies as a
spectator. Under the bill, a person commits a noncriminal traffic infraction if he or she is found to be a spectator at a
race or street takeover. The bill also adds street takeovers and stunt driving to the violations which require an
offender to pay a $65 penalty.
Under the bill, if an officer has probable cause to believe that a person has committed a violation relating to a street
takeover or stunt driving, the officer may arrest the person without a warrant.
To discourage the improper use of certain lights on roadways, the bill provides that a person commits a first degree
misdemeanor under s. 316.2397, F.S., by operating a vehicle displaying red, red and white, or blue lights if in
displaying such lights he or she effects or attempts to effect a stop of another vehicle. The bill also authorizes a
court or jury, in determining whether a defendant committed the offense of false personation under s. 843.081, F.S.,
to consider any relevant evidence, including, but not limited to, whether the defendant displayed certain prohibited
lights on his or her vehicle.
The bill may have a positive indeterminate fiscal impact on state and local government entities receiving funds from
violations related to street takeovers and stunt driving. Additionally, the bill may have a positive indeterminate impact
on jail beds by prohibiting additional conduct punishable as a misdemeanor offense.
Subject to the Governor’s veto powers, the effective date of this bill is October 1, 2022.
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I. SUBSTANTIVE INFORMATION
A. EFFECT OF 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,
sometimes hundreds, 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 that came to watch
the cars.
3
Recently, the Dallas Police Department’s speeding and racing task force (task force) made a concerted
local effort to crack down on street takeovers and other illegal events. As of September 2021, the task
force had arrested 944 people associated with street takeovers.
4
Because street takeovers are a
relatively new phenomenon, specific data related to accidents, injuries, and deaths resulting from these
events in Florida is not readily available. However, there are accounts of these events happening
throughout the state. In Jacksonville, street takeover participants have acknowledged that their meet-
ups have anywhere from 300 to thousands of people in attendance,
5
and residents nearby indicate that
these events are dangerous and often continue until well past midnight.
6
Racing Offenses
Under Florida law, a “race” may be prearranged or occur spontaneously, consists of a challenge and
acceptance or competitive response to the challenge,
7
and involves one or more motor vehicles in
competition to demonstrate the superiority of a vehicle or driver by:
Attempting to outgain or outdistance another motor vehicle;
Preventing another motor vehicle from passing;
Arriving at a given destination before another motor vehicle; or
Testing the physical stamina or endurance of drivers over a long-distance.
8
1
Erin Myers, Car that crashed into Van Nuys building, killing 1, was being followed by 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 Mar. 22, 2022).
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 Mar. 22, 2022).
3
Thom Taylor, Street Takeovers Are Turning More Deadly, MotorBiscuit (Nov. 15, 2021), https://www.motorbiscuit.com/street-
takeovers-turning-more-deadly/ (last visited Mar. 22, 2022).
4
Michael Lozano, Illegal Dallas 'street takeovers' feeling pinch from Dallas PD, October 2, 2021, spectrumlocalnews.com,
https://spectrumlocalnews.com/tx/dallas-fort-worth/news/2021/09/30/dallas-illegal--street-takeovers--feeling-pinch-from-dallas-pd- (last
visited Mar. 22, 2022).
5
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 Mar. 22,
2022).
6
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 Mar. 22, 2022).
7
Id.
8
S. 316.191(1)(c), F.S.
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A “drag race” is a specific type of race involving:
Two
9
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
Florida law prohibits the following racing activities on any highway, roadway, or parking lot, unless
sanctioned by the proper authorities:
11
Driving a motor vehicle, including a motorcycle, in a:
o Race;
o Speed competition or contest;
o Drag race;
o Test of physical endurance;
o Exhibition of speed or acceleration; or
o Exhibition for making a speed record;
12
Participating in, coordinating, facilitating, or collecting money at a race, competition, test, or
exhibition location;
Knowingly riding as a passenger in a race, competition, test, or exhibition; or
Purposefully stopping or slowing traffic movement for a race, competition, test, or exhibition.
13
A racing violation is a first degree misdemeanor,
14
punishable by up to one year in county jail.
15
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.
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.
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.
16
In addition to the criminal penalties provided, a person who commits a racing violation must pay a $65
penalty. 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 be knowingly present at and view a drag race, when his or her presence is
the result of an affirmative choice to attend or participate in the race. In determining whether or not an
individual is a spectator, the following factors must be considered: the relationship between the racer
and the individual; evidence of gambling or betting on the outcome of the race; and any other factor that
tends 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.
17
However, current law
does not similarly punish being a spectator at a regular race.
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 Mar. 22, 2022).
10
S. 316.191(1)(b), F.S.
11
S. 316.191(7), F.S.
12
S. 316.191(2), F.S.
13
Id.
14
Id.
15
S. 775.082, F.S.
16
S. 316.191(3), F.S.
17
S. 316.191(4), F.S.
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Warrantless Arrest
A judge may issue a warrant authorizing a person’s arrest for a felony or misdemeanor crime upon
finding probable cause that the person committed a crime in the judge’s jurisdiction.
18
However, the
United States Supreme Court has held that the Fourth Amendment to the United States Constitution
does not forbid warrantless arrest, even for a misdemeanor offense.
19
In Florida, a law enforcement officer may arrest a person without a warrant under certain statutorily
enumerated circumstances,
20
such as when:
An officer reasonably believes a person committed a felony;
There is probable cause to believe a person has committed certain enumerated misdemeanor
offenses,
21
including a racing violation under s. 316.191(2), F.S.; or
A person commits a misdemeanor in an officer’s presence.
o In this circumstance, the officer must arrest the person immediately or in fresh pursuit
after observing the offense.
Prohibited Use of Certain Lights
Section 316.2397, F.S., prohibits the use of certain lights on vehicles and authorizes the use of certain
lights for certain purposes.
22
A person may not drive or move any vehicle or equipment on any highway
with any lamp or device showing or displaying a red, red and white, or blue light visible from directly in
front of the vehicle with certain exceptions, such as:
23
Police and Sherriff’s vehicles.
Fire department vehicles.
Ambulances or volunteer ambulances.
Medical staff physicians or technicians of medical facilities licensed by the state.
Buses and taxicabs, which may show or display red lights.
Vehicles of the:
o Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission;
o Department of Environmental Protection;
o Department of Transportation;
o Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services; and
o Department of Corrections.
Wreckers,
24
mosquito control fog and spray vehicles, and emergency vehicles of governmental
departments or public service corporations may show or display amber lights when in actual
operation or when a hazard exists.
25
18
S. 901.02, F.S.
19
Atwater v. City of Lago Vista, 532 U.S. 318 (2001).
20
S. 901.15, F.S.
21
Section 901.15, F.S., includes other misdemeanor offenses such as battery, criminal mischief or graffiti, an act of domestic violence,
an injunction violation, or sexual cyberharassment in the list of offenses where a warrantless arrest is authorized.
22
For example: road or street maintenance equipment, road or street maintenance vehicles, road service vehicles, refuse collection
vehicles, petroleum tankers, and mail carrier vehicles may show or display amber lights when in operation or when a hazard exists; a
commercial motor vehicle or trailer designed to transport unprocessed logs or pulpwood may show or display an amber light affixed to
the rearmost point of the vehicle or trailer; road maintenance and construction equipment and vehicles may display flashing white lights
or flashing white strobe lights when in operation and where a hazard exists; construction equipment in a work zone on roadways with a
posted speed limit of 55 miles per hour or higher may show or display a combination of flashing green, amber, and red lights in
conjunction with periods when workers are present; and school buses and vehicles that are used to transport farm workers may display
flashing white strobe lights. S. 316.2397(4)–(5), F.S.
23
S. 316.2397(3), F.S.
24
Wreckers must use amber rotating or flashing lights while performing recoveries and loading on the roadside day or night, and may
use such lights while towing a vehicle on wheel lifts, slings, or under reach if the operator of the wrecker deems such lights necessary.
Id.
25
The lights may be used provided the lights are not used going to and from the scene of operation or hazard without specific
authorization of a law enforcement officer or law enforcement agency. Id.
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Additionally, a flatbed, car carrier, or rollback may not use amber rotating or flashing lights when
hauling a vehicle on the bed unless it creates a hazard to other motorists because of protruding objects.
Further, escort vehicles may show or display amber lights when in the actual process of escorting
overdimensioned equipment, material, or buildings as authorized by law. Vehicles owned or leased by
private security agencies may show or display green and amber lights, with either color being no
greater than 50 percent of the lights displayed, while the security personnel are engaged in security
duties on private or public property.
Flashing Lights on Vehicles
Section 316.2397, F.S., also prohibits flashing lights on vehicles except under specified circumstances,
such as:
As a means of indicating a right or left turn, to change lanes, or to indicate that the vehicle is
lawfully stopped or disabled upon the highway;
When a motorist intermittently flashes his or her vehicle’s headlamps at an oncoming vehicle
notwithstanding the motorist’s intent for doing so;
During periods of extreme low visibility on roadways with a posted speed limit of 55 miles per
hour or more; and
For certain lamps authorized in statute, which may flash, including various types of emergency
vehicles.
26
A violation of s. 316.2397, F.S., is a noncriminal traffic infraction, punishable as a nonmoving
violation.
27
Prohibited Use of Blue Lights on Vehicles and Vessels
Section 843.081, F.S., provides legislative intent indicating that Florida citizens are vulnerable to
becoming the victims of criminal acts through the illegal use of blue lights by the criminal elements, and
that the Legislature intends to reduce this vulnerability to injury and loss of life and property by
prohibiting the use of certain blue lights by any person other than an authorized law enforcement
officer. A person commits a first degree misdemeanor if he or she uses any flashing or rotating blue
lights
28
in or on any nongovernmentally owned vehicle or vessel, unless he or she is a law enforcement
officer employed by a federal, state, county, or city law enforcement agency, or is appointed as a
special officer by the Governor under ch. 354, F.S.
29
26
S. 316.2397(7), F.S.
27
S. 316.2397(10), F.S.
28
“Flashing or rotating blue light” includes all forms of lights which display a blue light source or which were designed with the intent of
displaying a blue light source whether or not such light is actually in use. S. 843.081(4), F.S.
29
A salesperson, service representative, or other employee of a businesses licensed to sell or repair law enforcement equipment is
exempt from criminal liability. S. 843.081(3), F.S.
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False Personation
Section 843.08, F.S., prohibits the false personation of any of the following law enforcement officers or
other specified persons:
Firefighter;
Sheriff;
Officer of the Florida Highway Patrol;
Officer of the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission;
Fire or arson investigator of the Department of Financial Services;
Officer of the Department of Financial Services;
Officer of the Department of Corrections;
Correctional probation officer;
Deputy sheriff;
State attorney or assistant state attorney;
Statewide prosecutor or assistant statewide prosecutor;
State attorney investigator;
Coroner;
Police officer;
Lottery special agent or lottery investigator;
Beverage enforcement agent;
Watchman (a security officer licensed under ch. 493, F.S.);
Any member of the Florida Commission on Offender Review and any administrative aide or
supervisor employed by the commission;
Any personnel or representative of the FDLE; or
Federal law enforcement officer as defined in s. 901.1505, F.S.
A person commits the offense of false personation if he or she falsely assumes or pretends to be any
person specified in s. 843.08, F.S., and takes it upon himself or herself to act as such person, or
requires any other person to aid or assist him or her in a matter pertaining to the duty of any such
specified person.
False personation is generally a third degree felony.
30
However, false personation becomes a second
degree felony
31
if committed during the course of committing another felony offense, unless the offense
results in the death or personal injury of another human being, in which case the offense of false
personation is a first degree felony.
32, 33
Effect of the Bill
The bill amends s. 316.191, F.S., to provide the following definitions:
"Burnout" means a maneuver performed while operating a motor vehicle whereby the motor
vehicle is kept stationary, or is in motion, while the wheels are spun, resulting in friction which
causes the motor vehicle's tires to heat up and emit smoke.
"Doughnut" means a maneuver performed while operating a motor vehicle whereby the front or
rear of the motor vehicle is rotated around the opposite set of wheels in a continuous motion,
resulting in friction which may cause a circular skid-mark pattern of rubber on the driving
surface, may cause the motor vehicle's tires to heat up and emit smoke, or both.
"Drifting" means a maneuver performed while operating a motor vehicle whereby the motor
vehicle is steered so that it makes a controlled skid sideways through a turn with the front
wheels pointed in a direction opposite to that of the turn.
30
A third degree felony is punishable by up to five years in prison and a $5,000 fine. Ss. 775.082 and 775.083, F.S.
31
A second degree felony is punishable by up to 15 years in prison and a $10,000 fine. Ss. 775.082 and 775.083, F.S.
32
A first degree felony is punishable by up to 30 years in prison and a $10,000 fine. Ss. 775.082 and 775.083, F.S.
33
False personation under s. 843.08, F.S., is ranked as a level 2 offense on the Criminal Punishment Code offense severity ranking
chart. S. 921.0022(3)(b), F.S.
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"Street takeover" means the use of one or more motor vehicles to block or impede the regular
flow of traffic on any portion of a highway, roadway, or parking lot for the purpose of performing
any burnout, doughnut, drifting, wheelie, or other stunt driving.
"Stunt driving" means to perform or engage in any burnout, doughnut, drifting, wheelie, or other
dangerous motor vehicle activity on a highway, roadway, or parking as part of a street takeover.
"Wheelie" means a maneuver performed while operating a motor vehicle whereby a motor
vehicle is ridden for a distance with the front wheel or wheels raised off the driving surface.
The bill amends the first degree misdemeanor crimes under s. 316.191(2), F.S., to add drag race,
street takeover, and stunt driving to each type of prohibited conduct. Additionally, under the bill a
person commits a first degree misdemeanor offense if he or she:
Purposely interrupts the movement of pedestrian traffic for any such prohibited event; or
Operates a motor vehicle for the purpose of:
o Filming or recording the activities of participants in any race, drag race, street takeover,
stunt driving, competition, contest, test, or exhibition; or
o Carrying any amount of fuel intended to be used for fueling a motor vehicle involved in
any race, drag race, street takeover, stunt driving, competition, contest, test, or
exhibition.
The bill amends the definition of “spectator” to include a person who is knowingly present at and views
a street takeover and provides that evidence of filming or recording such an event or posting the event
on social media are factors to be considered in determining whether a person qualifies as a spectator.
The bill also provides that being a spectator at a race or street takeover is punishable as a noncriminal
traffic infraction.
The bill adds street takeovers and stunt driving to the list of violations requiring an offender to pay a $65
penalty in addition to any other penalty, which is remitted to the Department of Revenue for deposit into
the Emergency Medical Services Trust Fund of the Department of Health.
Under the bill, if an officer has probable cause to believe that a person has committed a violation
relating to a street takeover or stunt driving, the officer may arrest the person without a warrant. An
officer may already arrest a person without a warrant for current racing offenses.
To discourage the improper use of certain lights on roadways, the bill also amends:
Section 316.2397, F.S., to increase the penalty for using certain prohibited lights from a
noncriminal traffic infraction to a first degree misdemeanor when a person operates a vehicle
displaying red, red and white, or blue lights and in displaying such lights the person effects or
attempts to effect a stop of another vehicle. All other violations of s. 316.2397, F.S., remain
punishable as a noncriminal traffic infraction.
Section 843.08, F.S., to provide that in determining whether a defendant has committed a third
degree felony offense of false personation,
34
the court or jury may consider any relevant
evidence, including, but not limited to, whether the defendant displayed certain lights on his or
her vehicle in violation of ss. 316.2397 or 843.081, F.S.
Subject to the Governor’s veto powers, the effective date of this bill is October 1, 2022.
II. FISCAL ANALYSIS & ECONOMIC IMPACT STATEMENT
34
An offense of false personation may also be punishable as a: second degree felony if committed during the course of committing
another felony offense; or as a first degree felony if the offense results in the death or personal injury of another human being. S.
843.08, F.S.
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A. FISCAL IMPACT ON STATE GOVERNMENT:
1. Revenues:
The bill may have a positive indeterminate impact on state entities which receive fines and fees
collected from the new conduct which, under the bill, is considered a misdemeanor crime related to
street takeovers and stunt driving.
2. Expenditures:
The bill may have an impact on prison beds by specifying that a court or jury may consider any
relevant evidence, including, but not limited to, whether the defendant displayed certain prohibited
lights, in determining whether he or she committed the felony offense of false personation. Because
such evidence may be considered under current law, any impact will likely be insignificant.
B. FISCAL IMPACT ON LOCAL GOVERNMENTS:
1. Revenues:
The bill may have a positive indeterminate impact on local government entities which may receive
monies collected from the new conduct considered a noncriminal traffic infraction for being a
spectator at a race or street takeover.
The bill may have a positive indeterminate impact on the Emergency Medical Services Trust Fund
of the Department of Health by adding street takeovers and stunt driving to the list of violations
which require a $65 penalty, in addition to any other penalty, under s. 318.18(20), F.S.
2. Expenditures:
The bill may have a positive indeterminate impact on the number of jail beds by creating new
conduct punishable as a misdemeanor offense relating to: racing, street takeovers, and related
stunt driving; and displaying specified prohibited lights to effect or attempt to effect a stop of another
vehicle.
C. DIRECT ECONOMIC IMPACT O N PRIVATE SECTOR:
None.
D. FISCAL COMMENTS:
None.