A law was enacted in Georgia in 2010 called "super speeder". Interestingly, if you google news articles for "super speeder" you find not one article. However, If you search the entire internet, you find scores of people who are very, VERY angry about it.
Basically, if you pay a ticket for going 85 or over on the freeway, or 70 or over on a two lane road, after you pay the fine, the state will then send you a $200 "super speeder" ticket for admitting guilt, usually months later. It is especially hard for out of state drivers.
There are lots of comments at various sites. Here is a good starting point: http://forums.motorists.org/read.php?2,1521,2148
Some of the draconian measures the state has taken with some drivers is amazing.
In a nutshell, if you are pulled over on the freeway in GA and the officer is polite and wants to reduce the speed to 85, make sure he makes it 84. And wink.
So, where did they catch you?
This law is not about safety, it is a revenue generation law. And, they can arrest you and jail you on the super speeder violation, depending on the mood of Officer Friendly. Then, on top of the huge fines, you pay $250 tow and impound fee, and $25 a day storage.
In Texas, we have two lane roads with a 70 mph speed limit. 103 east of Lufkin for example, although it does have an additional lane on some of the hills for slower traffic.
This is nothing. In Canada, traveling 50 kph over the speed limit is punishable by a $10,000 fine, roadside seizure of your vehicle, and roadside suspension of your license.
I have to say, in my short time up there I did not encounter any aggressive drivers. I’m not saying... just saying.
What a racket! Someone should challenge this law on double jeopardy grounds.
Another of Ga’s little tricks:
You are from out of state and get a traffic ticket. Never going back to Ga, so you ignore it. They find you guilty, but can not take your out of state license (no jurisdiction), so they issue you a Ga drivers license, and revoke it.
The revocation shows up next time you go to renew your license, or if stopped on another traffic violation anywhere in the country. Gets real expensive and painful to get the revocation removed.
I live in Georgia and don't have a problem with it. It's actually reasonable compared to Massachusetts, where they tack on a few extra dollars for every mile per hour over the speed limit so fines can run into the thousands for super speeders.
We drive to Florida 3-4 times per year down Interstate 75, about 200 miles of Georgia road. Set the cruise control at 79mph and have never been pulled over. I pass speed traps just about every trip and they don't do a thing.
Why is the Autobahn Safer than US Interstates?
The Autobahn is a world renowned highway system in Germany which is touted for its lack of speed limitations. Drivers from all over the world travel to Germany to indulge themselves in the thrill of driving at high speeds. But as you grant autobahn drivers the freedom to drive faster, won’t their safety be in jeopardy?
Not necessarily. In stark contrast to common sense the autobahn, where some drivers exceed 200 mph, is relatively safe. The fatality rate on the German autobahn is actually much lower than that observed on the US interstate system. The Economist reports that per every 100,000 people under the age of 24, in the US nearly 20 die in auto accidents compared to approximately 7 in Germany. Even with this low amount of deaths, one would assume that the "dangerous" autobahn accounted for most of the German accidents. Yet, in 2009 accidents on the autobahn accounted for less than 10%. How can this be?
http://www.thinktransatlantic4.com/2012/04/is-autobahn-safer-than-us-interstates.html
My 22 yr old daughter has a super speeder trophy from GA. She has graduated from the School of Hard Knocks with honors. She no longer speeds in GA.
I used to be just like most of you, driving 5-10 mph above the speed limit. However, in these tough economic times, the police are looking for any revenue they can get. Plus, it doesn't take any less time to get where you're going.
The only exception is those crazy speed trap towns like Golden Meadow, LA, or one of those small towns in Central Missouri (has Northern Hospitality and Southern efficiency), where they hide speed limits behind trees, change speed limits every 100 ft or so, then you have to be on extra special guard.
This law is great!! I am so sick of people, especially teens, who are in a big hurry to get NOWHERE. The fees/fines are reasonable enough. Don’t wanna pay it?? Then quit speeding!
This is what happens when the DUI money they enjoyed for so many years starts to dry up a little.
When I got my first license, in Alabama, going 25mph over the speed limit on any road in that state would automatically get you arrested and charged with reckless driving. That came with a huge fine, a bit of jail time, and possible revocation of your license. That was the story, anyway, I don’t know for sure if that was actually the law. Since that was during the days of the 55mph maximum speed limit, 80 was the magic number on the freeways.
The solution is scofflaw
If you want safer highways: 1)If you do not currently have a law against cruising in the fast lane then create one and 2)Enforce it.