In Florida, an 85-year-old man has landed in a scandal for speeding in his Nissan 350Z. The Lake County Sheriff’s Office claims that William Bosworth accelerated to 110 mph (about 177 km/h) in a zone with a 45 mph (72 km/h) limit, driving alongside a Chevrolet Corvette. He has been charged with street racing and excessive speeding.
The incident occurred on the night of June 12 on State Road 48. According to police, a red Corvette and a gray Nissan 350Z were driving side by side at extremely high speeds. Law enforcement officers allege that the Corvette reached 125 mph (201 km/h), while Bosworth’s Nissan hit 110 mph (177 km/h). Both cars were stopped separately.
Denial of Charges
Bosworth denied participating in a race. In footage from a police officer’s body camera, he calmly explained that the Corvette suddenly changed lanes toward him, and he was simply “out for a drive” in his beloved car. The man also shared that he has owned this Nissan 350Z since it was new.
The Corvette driver, 57-year-old Philip Signorino, was also arrested and denied the charges. He told police that his Corvette is incapable of reaching the speed attributed to him by law enforcement. Given the characteristics of Corvettes over the past decades, this is a rather bold claim.
Police claim that the 85-year-old driver accelerated to 110 mph in a 45 mph zone.
The Nissan owner says he was simply enjoying a ride in his favorite car.
Both drivers denied racing, despite charges of street racing.
Context and Irony of the Situation
Of course, public roads are not racetracks. If the allegations are confirmed, 110 mph in a 45 mph zone is something that could very quickly lead to tragedy. That’s what tracks are for. At the same time, there is something incredibly captivating about a man in his 80s still loving driving so much that he gets into such trouble.
The irony is that roads like State Road 48 are often designed with long straight stretches, wide lanes, and gentle curves that tempt drivers to speed, despite low limits. Traffic safety engineers have long argued that road design influences driver behavior more effectively than speed enforcement alone. This does not excuse speeding, but it adds context.
This story evokes mixed emotions. On one hand, it is a serious violation that could have cost lives. On the other hand, it shows that the passion for cars and speed has no age limit. One can only hope that in the future, Bosworth will find a safer way to enjoy his beloved Nissan 350Z, for example, on a specialized track, where his enthusiasm won’t endanger anyone except his own nerves and tires.