Gov. Scott vetoes bill to raise speed limits

TALLAHASSEE, Fla — Fla. Gov. Rick Scott is following through on his pledge to veto a bill that could raise speed limits to 75 miles per hour.

Scott on Monday vetoed the legislation. He said last month that he planned to veto the bill in response to pleas from highway troopers and the state's sheriffs.

The bill (SB 392) would not raise speed limits automatically, but would allow the Department of Transportation to increase them when it saw fit.

The bill also allowed the department to raise the limit from 65 to 70 mph on rural, four-lane divided highways and up to 65 mph on other roads.

Legislators only approved the bill after a contentious debate, where opponents said raising Florida's speed limits would embolden motorists to drive faster.

WFTV