'No wake law' now in effect after Governor DeSantis signs bipartisan Florida bill

New law targets speeding through flooded streets

A bipartisan bill signed into law by Gov. Ron DeSantis includes new rules prohibiting drivers from speeding through flooded neighborhoods and creating excessive wake. FOX 13’s Regina Gonzalez reports.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - It is now illegal for Florida drivers to drive fast enough through flooded streets to create an excessive wake – part of a bipartisan transportation bill signed into law by Gov. Ron DeSantis.

The backstory:

The so-called "no wake law" was a joint, bipartisan effort by two lawmakers from Pinellas County: Sen. Nick DiCeglie, R-Indian Rocks Beach, and Rep. Lindsay Cross, D-St. Petersburg.

Both lawmakers said they heard complaints about the issue, especially after Hurricanes Helene and Milton.

The Florida Legislature amended Senate Bill 462, a larger Senate transportation package, to include new rules for driving through flooded neighborhoods.

Dig deeper:

The new law lets cities and counties set up special slow speed zones whenever streets are flooded, and gives law enforcement the power to ticket anyone creating dangerous wakes.

Along with bipartisan support in Tallahassee, representatives from the St. Petersburg Police Department and Pinellas County Sheriff's Office said their agencies support the new law.

For more details on SB 462, click here.