We’ve all seen it – the police hiding from the road to catch an unexpected driver who exceeds the speed limit. In the worst circumstances, you may not be watching your speed and end up with the red and blue lights behind you.
Depending on the state in which you were arrested, the fine for driving too fast can cost a penny or, worse, jail time. The economic cost of speed-related accidents in the U.S. is $ 40 billion annually, not to mention the 9,378 deaths caused in 2018 alone. So it’s no wonder that some states are repressing the consequences of speeding on the roads.
States with the longest jail time for speeding
For first speeding offenses in Georgia and Illinois, offenders can stay a maximum of one year behind bars. However, while it is the law, many speeding tickets do not generally result in imprisonment. The potential for arrest varies according to the speed and circumstances of the driver. For example, if a driver is at a school or construction site, the punishment in some states may be more severe. When a driver enters the reckless territory, defined differently in each state, the consequences are much higher. In Massachusetts, for example, reckless driving can lead drivers to prison for 2 weeks to up to 2 years.
States with the highest speeding fines
Speaking of the consequences for reckless driving, getting hit with a speeding ticket can weigh heavily on your wallet in some states. In Washington, the state with the highest speeding ticket fee, reckless driving is classified as a misdemeanor, and anyone convicted is trying to pay $ 5,250 in fines and fines. Not to mention up to 364 days in prison and a possible 30-day license suspension.
States with the most stringent license suspension laws
Some states have laws that take drivers off the road if they violate speed limits. Beginning speed violators in Rhode Island, Hawaii and Virginia face up to a year of suspension from their license to travel faster than the published speed limits. The consequences of speeding go beyond a violation imposed by the police. Consider that high-speed vehicles have a more significant potential to lose control of the car, an inability to stop in time, higher severity of an accident, and more. If you want to avoid the weight of some harsh consequences, keep an eye on your speedometer.
