Speeding

In Georgia, speeding is classified as driving a vehicle faster than the posted speed limit or faster than what can be deemed safe due to existing roadway conditions. If you have been observed operating your car in an unsafe fashion and were consequently issued a citation by law enforcement personnel, then it's possible for you to get convicted of speeding. Penalties for speeding include fines, points on your license, and even jail time depending on the situation.

• Speeding Tickets in Georgia
• Super Speeder Tickets
• Speeding and Drivers Under the Age of 18
• Speeding and Drivers Under the Age of 21
• Impeding the Flow of Traffic - Going Under the Minimum Speed Limit
• Speeding on a Bridge or Structure
• Speeding in a Work Zone
• Too Fast for Conditions

Speeding Tickets in Georgia

On almost every road in Georgia, you will see a maximum speed limit sign. If you go faster than that posted limit, you could find yourself being pulled over by local or state police. Police can track your speed by pacing (driving alongside you and noting their own speed), using tools such as radar guns or laser guns, and even visually, if they testify that you were going way faster than other traffic.

How fast over the speed limit you were going will determine your penalties, including fines and points on your license. Here's the points schedule, based on the mph (miles per hour) over the speed limit you are convicted of going:

• 14 mph over or less = 0 points
• 15 mph to 18 mph over = 2 points
• 19 mph to 23 mph over = 3 points
• 24 mph to 33 mph over = 4 points
• 34 mph or more over = 6 points

While speeding tickets in Georgia are technically misdemeanors, meaning they have a maximum allowed fine of $1,000 and jail time up to 12 months, most people will not face these maximums. However, knowing what could be possible can help put into perspective the outcome of your case, especially if the facts look very bad against you. By hiring a lawyer who is constantly in the courthouse where your ticket is pending, you can make sure you have the best possible outcome for your speeding ticket case.

Super Speeder Tickets

The Super Speeder law was passed in Georgia in 2010, and it imposes additional fines on drivers convicted of speeding at certain speeds. Specifically, if the driver is found speeding at 85 mph or more on any two-lane road, or 75 mph or more on any other highway in Georgia, they are subject to an additional $200 fine. Remember - this fine is on top of your initial case. You pay your initial case fines in the courthouse where the conviction is, but you pay the $200 fee to the State of Georgia so you don't lose your drivers license.

Speeding and Drivers Under the Age of 18

In the state of Georgia, speeding tickets can carry significant consequences for drivers under the age of 18, who are operating in their provisional driver's license (Class D provisional). A provisional driver's license in the state of Georgia is a license that permits drivers aged 16 to 17 to drive under certain conditions and at certain times. Driving is a privilege, and if an under-18 year old driver is caught breaking the traffic laws, that privilege can be taken away.

Most importantly, for speeding tickets, a driver under the age of 18 will lose their license if they get 4 or more points in a 12 month period. This means that if they get only one speeding ticket for going 24 mph or more over the speed limit, their license is suspended for at least 6 months. Or, if they get 2 speeding tickets in 12 months, going 15 mph or more over the speed limit each time, then their license is suspended for that 6 month period, or longer.

Additionally, they will have to take a defensive driving course to get their license back - and even if their license is not suspended due to points, a judge could still order the underage driver to take the course, due to their being so young and having a speeding ticket. The fines will be up to $1,000 and there is jail time of up to 12 months that could be given, too, although this is rare, and would depend on the circumstances of the speeding. Most judges would also want to see community service hours completed as well. Make sure you contact a lawyer if you have a speeding ticket and are under the age of 18 - you'll be grateful you did.

Speeding and Drivers Under the Age of 21

Even though drivers from the age of 18 to 20 are able to get a Class C normal license, they are still held to a higher standard than drivers 21 or older. A driver under the age of 21 will automatically lose their license if they get convicted of an offense carrying 4 or more points. This relates to speeding tickets, because there are 4 points assessed for a conviction of going 24 mph to 33 mph over the posted limit, and 6 points assessed for a conviction of going 34 mph or more over the speed limit. This suspension lasts at least 6 months, and they will have to pay $200 in fees to get it back, plus pay for and take a defensive driving course. Additionally, since speeding is a misdemeanor in Georgia, they will be facing fines of up to $1,000, and possibly even jail time up to 12 months, though this is not likely, but it could still happen. There will probably also be community service hours to complete as well. It always helps to call a lawyer first and find out your options before you head to traffic court on your own for a speeding ticket, if you're under the age of 21.

Impeding the Flow of Traffic - Going Under the Minimum Speed Limit

Going slower than the minimum speed limit in Georgia is also know as impeding the flow of traffic - and you can get ticketed for this. This usually happens when a driver slows down too much and causes traffic behind them to slow down as well, whether or not there is a posted minimum speed limit. Generally, speeding laws apply if you go over the posted speed limit, but if you drive too slowly, it can be just as dangerous and cause an obstruction in the flow of traffic. In Georgia, a speeding ticket for going slower than the minimum speed limit, or slower than is safe resulting in impeding the flow of traffic, could land you with up to $1,000 in fines and 3 points on your license.

Speeding on a Bridge or Structure

Speeding on a bridge or structure comes with the same amount of points as normal speeding. However, it could result in higher fines and stricter penalties, due to the nature of care for these structures. Georgia law allows the Department of Transportation to assess and set maximum speed limits to drive on bridges and structures, to minimize the wear and tear on the construct. Be careful when you approach a bridge, as the speed limit posted may suddenly drop - and you could be on the hook for a much higher speeding ticket than if you were pulled over before the bridge, due to the sudden change in limits.

Speeding in a Work Zone

Speeding in a work zone is dangerous. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, in 2018 alone, there were 1,061 fatal work injuries due to roadway incidents. Of those fatalities, construction workers accounted for nearly a fourth (24%), making it one of the leading causes of death among this demographic. That year also saw an increase of 8% from 2017 in these fatalities. To help to protect workers, speeding tickets in work zones are subject to higher fines and penalties in Georgia. Instead of a regular misdemeanor, a conviction for speeding in a work zone is considered a high and aggravated misdemeanor. This comes with a minimum fine of $100 and a maximum fine of $2,000 - double the fine limit on a regular speeding ticket. The points assessed are the same, but the potential jail time of up to 12 months is more likely to be given, depending on the seriousness of the circumstances surrounding the speeding in the work zone. Additionally, this will get reported to your car insurance and your insurance rates are likely to go up as a result. If you have a speeding ticket while in a work zone, it's important to know your rights by contacting a local attorney immediately.

Too Fast for Conditions

A too fast for conditions speeding ticket in Georgia is when a driver exceeds the recommended speed limit based on the current weather, traffic, and road conditions. This type of speeding often occurs when it’s raining, snowing, or during high volumes of traffic. According to Georgia law, driving too fast for conditions is considered a misdemeanor offense. This speeding ticket carries a maximum fine of $1,000 and in some cases, you may also have to serve up to 12 months in jail for this speeding offense. Unlike other speeding tickets, this ticket does not put any points on your drivers license history. However, you still have to deal with the hassle of being pulled over and going to court to deal with it, so make sure you drive safe, in all driving conditions.

Don't Fight Alone

For all speeding tickets, it is best to consult a lawyer before heading to traffic court on your own. A lawyer can help to navigate the complexities of speeding laws in Georgia and ensure that you are taking the best possible course of action for your situation. Don’t let one speeding ticket ruin your life or ability to drive.