State speeding fines to increase in 2010

ALBANY — Feeling the need for speed in Georgia is about to get much more expensive.

Going 85 mph or more on most Georgia roads, including interstates, will cost drivers an additional $200 fee when the state’s “super speeder” law takes effect Friday.

On two-lane roads, or roads in which one lane is going each way, the extra fine kicks in at 75 mph. Those found in violation will be expected to make two separate payments — the speeding conviction paid to the political subdivision where the violation occurs and the $200 surcharge paid to the state Department of Driver Services (DDS).

“It’s just to save lives,” Bob Dallas, director of the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety (GOHS), said. “Georgia has a reputation for excessive speeds.”

Under the law, the DDS will notify offenders of the imposition of the state fee within 30 days of the agency receiving a qualifying ticket and notice of conviction. Failure to pay the fine within 90 days after receiving the notice will result in the suspension of the driver’s license or driving privileges.

The goal of the law is to get rid of what Dallas refers to as the “raceway mentality.”

“Our goal is that drivers recognize that speed can kill,” he said. “Excessive speed is costing us too much. This clearly sends a message to drivers.”

An additional $50 state fee will be assessed when the driver applies for reinstatement of his or her license or driving privileges.

“Hopefully drivers will think twice (before speeding),” said Gordy Wright, spokesman for the Georgia State Patrol. “Anything that will slow people down is a good thing.”

Lt. Tom Jackson, unit supervisor for Dougherty County HEAT, said he would expect a number of complaints to come in. But in the long run, he said, the law will accomplish its ultimate goal.

“Drivers are not going to be happy,” he said. “I foresee it causing a lot of complaints because people don’t like losing money out of pocket.

“The concept behind it is a good concept. Hopefully, it will affect behavior. Hopefully, it will have some impact.”

Information provided by the GOHS indicates that excessive speed is a contributing factor in one-third of all fatal crashes, and involved in more than one-fourth of the fatal crashes in construction zones.

Going into the new year, the law can indirectly have an impact on the state’s future drivers.

“We often times talk of our kids dying on the roadway,” Dallas said. “We as parents, by following the speed limits, are setting the right example.”

Dallas also said he knew of no other state with a similar law, though some areas have tried variations including higher fines on problem roads.

In 2008, there were 15,753 speed crashes in Georgia. In the same year, the state had more than 7,000 speed-related injuries and 300 speed-related deaths.

The current speeding fines in Dougherty County are $40 for driving five-10 mph over the limit, $75 for going 11-15 mph over, $89 for going 16-20 mph over, $117 for driving 21-25 mph over, $215 for going 26-30 mph over, $285 for going 31-35 mph over, $425 for going 36-40 mph over and $565 for driving 41 mph over the limit or faster.

The final passage of the law, known as HB 160, came through in March. State legislators passed it in the House 113-53, and the Senate passed it 42-10. It was introduced by Rep. Jim Cole, R-Forsyth.

The funds generated by the law will be deposited into the Georgia general fund and are intended to go toward the state’s trauma care network, officials say.