Florida law allows motorists to protect themselves against protesters

Florida law does not grant a specific, standalone right to "run over" people, but it provides legal protections for drivers who strike individuals while acting in self-defense or attempting to flee a threatening situation.

Under the "Combatting Public Disorder Act" (HB 1), enacted in 2021, a driver who injures or kills someone while they are participating in a "riot" is provided an affirmative defense in civil lawsuits, meaning they can argue their actions were a justified response to the surrounding violence to avoid liability for damages.

This provision was upheld in late 2024 after the Florida Supreme Court clarified that the law specifically applies to individuals engaged in "violent disorderly conduct" rather than peaceful protesters.

The issue gained renewed attention in June 2025 following comments by Governor Ron DeSantis regarding planned "No Kings" protests against federal policies. DeSantis stated that if a "mob" surrounds and threatens a vehicle, the driver has a right to "flee for your safety," and if someone is hit during that attempt, "that's their fault for impinging on you."

These remarks were echoed by local law enforcement, including Brevard County Sheriff Wayne Ivey, who warned that individuals attempting to block or surround cars would "most likely get run over and dragged across the street" if the driver felt in danger. While these statements and the 2021 law provide significant civil protections, they do not offer automatic immunity from criminal prosecution.

Legal experts and defense attorneys have noted that striking a pedestrian with a vehicle remains subject to Florida’s "Stand Your Ground" standards, which require the driver to demonstrate a "reasonable fear of imminent death or great bodily harm" to justify the use of deadly force.

Prosecutors still maintain the authority to file criminal charges if they determine a driver’s actions were intentional, malicious, or directed at non-violent bystanders who were not actively threatening the vehicle's occupants.