Gov. Perdue goes for big fines for speeders

Tue, 02/06/2007 - 5:42pm
By: The Citizen

Governor Perdue to introduce Super Speeder legislation; will increase fines on behaviors that cause accidents

ATLANTA – Governor Sonny Perdue announced Feb. 6 that legislation will be introduced on Thursday to help reduce traumatic automobile accidents and provide additional funds for trauma care in the state. State Senator Ronnie Chance, one of the Governor’s floor leaders in the Senate, will introduce “Super Speeder” legislation when the General Assembly reconvenes on Thursday.

“Traffic accidents exact an enormous cost on the people of Georgia,” said Governor Perdue. “We must do more to prevent crashes and save lives by addressing behaviors such as speeding that lead to many serious accidents.”

The Governor made the announcement today at the State Capitol at an event to promote motorcycle safety with the cast of the upcoming movie “Wild Hogs,” which will be released on March 2. Cast members attending today’s motorcycle safety rally included Tim Allen, John Travolta, Martin Lawrence and William H. Macy. Motorcycle riders from around the state joined the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety and other state officials welcoming the stars to Georgia.

Preliminary estimates show the Super Speeder legislation could generate as much as $25 million to $30 million per year. The additional fees, after administrative costs, will go to the state’s general treasury with the intent that the money will be used to fund a trauma care system.

“There is a clear link between the people who cause deadly accidents on our roadways and the rising strain on our hospitals’ emergency services,” Governor Perdue added. “We’re going to hold accountable people who repeatedly engage in dangerous activities, and I hope that these increased fines will give them incentive to stop their behavior and make our roads safer.”

The Super Speeder legislation will increase fines to decrease trauma-causing behavior. Driving over 85 mph or more anywhere in Georgia and 75 mph or more on a two lane road will be classified as a “super speeding” offense, adding an additional fine of $200, which will be administered by the Georgia Department of Driver Services.

The legislation will also address habitual violators who lose their license because of dangerous driving behaviors. There will be an additional $300 fine for license reinstatement for DUI, vehicular homicide, serious injury by vehicle, or feticide by vehicle. There will also be an additional $200 fine for license reinstatement for racing, fleeing and attempting to elude, and leaving the scene of an accident (all currently receive an automatic suspension) and an additional $100 fine for license reinstatement for other moving violations (in addition to the $210 current fine).

Fines will also be assessed based on the number of points accrued against a driver’s license: $100 fine at 7-9 points; $125 fine at 10-12 points and $200 fine at 13-14 points (the license is suspended at 15 points).

Traffic accidents caused more than 1,700 fatalities in Georgia last year and cost the state $7.85 billion. Average speeds on Metro Atlanta interstates are among the highest in the country at 75 mph – 20 mph over the speed limit.

“Governor Perdue’s Super Speeder legislation is an important step toward making our roads safer,” said State Senator Ronnie Chance. “The legislation shows that Georgia is serious about decreasing the number of traumatic accidents on our roads.”
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Submitted by ptc_golfer on Sun, 03/04/2007 - 10:18pm.

Can we do something about the HOV exits then?

Submitted by Lucid Lee on Sat, 03/03/2007 - 12:02pm.

I find it, interesting, that politicians actually believe, fines (Money) solves all problems.

One must ask themselves..... "If speeding is illegal, why then, are Automobiles manufactured in a way which causes them to Speed, and Kill? Well, Duh!!!!! Are we so ignorant, we can't see what's wrong with this picture!

Lucid Lee

Submitted by skyspy on Sat, 03/03/2007 - 6:53pm.

We can't all live to be 100. This is just the theory of evolution being played out with a car and freedom of choice.

Submitted by dollaradayandfound on Sun, 03/04/2007 - 8:32pm.

I suppose you mean that if someone wants to speed, then give them the freedom of choice to do so. And kill anybody else they happen to hit. Some of us have not evolved as much as others as your statement indicates!
Now, how far do you carry the freedom of choice thing:
Woman's choice of abortion?
Everybody carry loaded guns?
Kill anybody you want who steps into your home?
Don't pay taxes? (don't want roads, army, FEMA, dams, bridges, State dept.?)
Vote on everything, no republic.
Possees?
Vigilantes?
No public schools?
No welfare? No minimum wage? no free hospital treatment for poor?
No UN? Constant war? No draft? No Mexicans? No Arabs?
BUT A BIG FENCE?

Submitted by skyspy on Sun, 03/04/2007 - 10:19pm.

Let's just treat this the same as you would the satanic teens here:

If it feels good do it!!!

Oh god forbid anyone would ever accuse a satanic teen of doing any wrong, but an adult speeding: oooohhhhhhh the humanity!

Whatever........people will speed, and most people feel justified when they do speed ..........these are the same people who will turn around and cry crocidile tears when one of their own family members gets killed.......then speeding will be considered a tragedy.

pppppuuulllllleeeeeessseee!

ps: people make many bad choices in life and some of them have more permanent consequences than others. You have to accept the consequences of your bad decisions.

Submitted by dollaradayandfound on Mon, 03/05/2007 - 7:33am.

What on earth have they done to you? Are they all satanic? Does satanic mean: thrown out of heaven forever?
Exaggeration of facts is always the way of despots. Hitler once said: "don't tell little lies, they won't be believed, think of the most ridiculous, big, lie that can be thought of and say that, they will believe that."
If anyone needs guidance, kids do. The Catholic church once thought that torturing people would make everybody better except the torturee, whom they always killed for admitting sin. Also, the pilgrims burned many as witches to protect themselves from satan.
It doesn't work!

Tug13's picture
Submitted by Tug13 on Sat, 03/03/2007 - 2:18pm.

In my opinion Gov. Perdue is a joke. His silly "Go fish Ga." among other things are laughable.

He needs to concentrate on more important things like PeachCare.
This is for children who don't have insurance. These children are our future.


Submitted by dollaradayandfound on Sat, 03/03/2007 - 2:56pm.

Running at 75 on I-75 is not speeding. Running at 55 in a 35 zone is speeding. No one would buy a legitimate auto that would only go 35 MPH. Get it?
Go fish brings in touristers with money for government.
Peachcare costs the government money.
All that is important to a conservative!

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