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Super Speeder Fines Increase In Georgia

By Eddie Farah

It may not pay to be a super speeder in Georgia. Those who drive fast on the state's highway are facing an increased fine of $200 that would accomplish two goals.

First, to get speeders to slow down and secondly to fund the state's ailing network of hospitals that take trauma cases.

Georgia lawmakers have tried for three years unsuccessfully to pay for the trauma centers, which are operating in the red.

Here's how the speeding fine would work. Drivers busted for going over 85 mph on a four-lane road would face a $200 fine as would those going over 75 mph on a two-lane road.

The 'Super Speeder' proposal is backed by the governor, Sonny Perdue. It should raise more than $30 million a year. It now goes to the Senate for approval.

This makes sense for a few reasons.

The majority of traumatic deaths, three-quarters of them in Georgia result from motor vehicle accidents. Every year trauma centers work, often without compensation, usually running about $170 million a year, but because of the expense only Georgia's major cities have been able to afford them.

The extra funding from speeders could even save an estimated 700 lives each year. That's because trauma care is something that smaller Georgia cities such as Dalton or Valdosta can offer if there is funding.

Officers who catch speeders will also have the option to tack on a local fee for speeders. #

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Eddie Farah

Full post as published by Jacksonville Personal Injury Lawyer on March 13, 2009 (boomark / email).