Speeding in Georgia can cost you more than just a traffic ticket. If you’re caught driving at excessive speeds, you may face an additional penalty under Georgia’s Super Speeder Law—a designation that can lead to hefty fines and a potential license suspension. If you’ve received a Georgia Super Speeder violation, understanding what it means and how it affects your driving privileges and driving record is crucial. Here is some important information about Georgia’s Super Speeder Law that you must know:
What Is the Super Speeder Law in Georgia?
Georgia’s Super Speeder Law is found at O.C.G.A. § 40-6-189. This law was enacted in 2010 to deter excessive speeding and to enhance roadway safety. This law specifically targets drivers who exceed certain speeds on Georgia roads. The law applies to speeds in excess of:
- 75 mph or more on a two-lane road
- 85 mph or more on any road or highway
If a driver is caught exceeding these speed limits, they will be classified as a Super Speeder, resulting in an additional fine and penalties on top of the standard speeding ticket fine.
The Georgia Department of Driver Services (DDS) is responsible for imposing and collecting the Super Speeder fine. Unlike the fine paid on the regular traffic ticket, this Super Speeder fine is added after the regular speeding violation is processed by the local traffic court handling the original speeding ticket. Many drivers are surprised when they resolve the original speeding ticket, pay the fine, and then receive a separate notice in the mail from DDS requiring an additional payment of a Super Speeder $200 fine.
When Do the Super Speeder Laws Apply?
A Super Speeder violation applies in addition to any other penalties incurred for a speeding violation. Here’s how it works:
- You’re pulled over and cited for speeding. If your speed meets the Super Speeder threshold, the officer will issue a speeding ticket based on the violation of local traffic laws.
- You pay fine for the speeding ticket (which is a guilty plea), or you contest your ticket and are found guilty in the appropriate traffic court. The local traffic court then sends notice of the citation and conviction to the DDS if the speed warrants a Super Speeder fine.
- DDS mails a Super Speeder notification to you. Once your original speeding conviction is recorded, the DDS will send a letter demanding the additional $200 fee.
- You must pay the $200 Super Speeder fee within 120 days. Failure to do so will result in an automatic driver’s license suspension and an additional $50 license reinstatement fee.
Even if you weren’t aware of the Super Speeder Law at the time of your citation, you are still responsible for paying the $200 fee. The law applies equally to Georgia residents and out-of-state drivers.
Super Speeder Penalty in Georgia
A Super Speeder violation comes with significant financial and legal consequences. Here’s what you need to know:
- Speeding ticket fines vary depending on the how fast you were driving over the posted speed limit. Higher speeds mean higher fines. Depending on the jurisdiction, a regular speeding ticket can cost anywhere from $100 to $1,000, depending on how far over the speed limit you were driving when caught.
- Super Speeder designation adds a mandatory $200 fine. This is separate from your original ticket and must be paid directly to DDS.
- Failure to pay results in license suspension. If you ignore the Super Speeder notice, your license will be suspended until the fine is paid, plus a $50 reinstatement fee.
- Insurance rates usually increase when your automobile insurance company reviews your driving record and finds you have been a Super Speeder. A Super Speeder offense is seen as reckless driving by some insurance companies, leading to higher insurance premiums or even the cancellation of your policy.
What if I am an Out-of-State Driver and Receive a Georgia Super Speeder Notice?
Even if you don’t live in Georgia, the Super Speeder Law still applies to you. If you’re caught speeding at Super Speeder levels in Georgia, the Georgia DDS will send you a notice requiring the additional $200 Super Speeder fine. Here’s what you need to know:
- Georgia will report the Super Speeder violation to your home state department of driver services. Most states have reciprocal agreements that allow them to share traffic violations, so if you are a resident of another state you can still expect a Super Speeder violation in Georgia will get reported to your home state.
- Failure to pay the fine can impact your license. If you ignore the Super Speeder fine, Georgia may suspend your driving privileges in Georgia, and your home state may follow and also take action against your license in your home state, which could include the suspension of your driving privileges.
- It’s best to pay the fine immediately. Pay the Super Speeder fee promptly to avoid complications with your driving record and insurance rates.
If you’re an out-of-state driver and need legal assistance, an experienced Georgia traffic attorney can help you navigate the process and potentially reduce the impact of a Super Speeder designation.
Can You Fight a Super Speeder Ticket?
Once a speeding conviction is entered, the Super Speeder designation is automatic—there is no separate court hearing for the Super Speeder fee itself. However, you may be able to fight the original speeding ticket in court to prevent the conviction from being recorded in the first place. Some potential defense strategies include:
- Challenging the speed detection method (radar gun calibration, officer training)
- Negotiating a reduced charge (non-moving violation or lower speed)
- Negotiating a guilty plea to a lesser speed that will avoid the Super Speeder charge
- Providing a defense of mitigating circumstances (emergency situation)
Contact Dan Chapman & Associates for Legal Help
If you’ve been injured in Georgia by a Super Speeder, we can help. The Super Speeder violation may show the at-fault driver’s conduct rises to the level of willful and wanton conduct to justify the imposition of punitive damages, in addition to regular compensatory damages. Compensatory damages included compensation for medical bills, lost wages and pain and suffering. However, punitive damages have nothing to do with compensation, but are to punish bad behavior. At Dan Chapman & Associates, we have extensive experience helping clients recover both compensatory damages and punitive damages, in order to get the client the full compensation they deserve, as well as holding the wrongdoer responsible for their careless actions and dangerous behaviors. If you’re been injured by a person who was speeding, contact Dan Chapman & Associates today for a free consultation to discuss your situation and legal options.
