Super Speeder Designation Comes to Georgia

In an effort to fund a trauma care system in Georgia, the Georgia General Assembly passed house bill 160 during the 2009 session.

Commonly referred to as the "Super Speeder Legislation," it goes into effect on January 1, 2010 and is codified as O.C.G.A. 40-6-189.

Below is a summary of the legislation:

1. Classifies driver as a "super speeder" when convicted of driving 85+mph on any road or highway, 75+mph on any two-lane road or highway.

2. In addition to fines or penalties imposed by a local jurisdiction or the department, the department (DDS) is authorized to collect a $200 fee from a "super speeder."

3. The department must notify the "super speeder," via first class mail, of the $200 fee within 30 days of the department's receipt of a qualifying ticket and notice of conviction.

4. If the "super speeder" fails to pay the $200 fee within 90 days of receipt of the notice, the "super speeder's" license or driving privilege is subject to suspension and an additional reinstatement fee of $50 shall be assessed.

5. To clarify whether the offense occurred on a two lane road or highway, the legislature amended O.C.G.A. 40-6-187 which require the uniform traffic citation to reflect whether the violation occurred on a two lane road or highway.

Note: Information obtained and liberally copied from materials prepared by Latoya Graham and presented as a Legislative Update of the 2009 Driver's License Law CLE.