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Is speeding a crime?
In this article, you’ll learn about:
Let’s dig in.
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Yes, speeding is a crime.
Depending on the severity of the traffic offense, speeding is considered either:
Felony offenses for speeding include fines, jail time, and license suspension or revocation.
Read More: Can You Get Arrested For Speeding
Speeding is driving a vehicle faster than the posted speed limit.
Or faster than is reasonable under the conditions and potential hazards at the time.
Speeding is a crime because it:
Let’s look at some data on why speeding is a crime.
These statistics for speeding being a crime are pulled from:
Speeding laws get put in place to keep drivers safe and reduce traffic.
Different states have different speed limits for different types of roads.
Radar, laser, and other speed monitoring devices get used to enforce the laws.
If a driver gets caught speeding, they could get a ticket and have to pay a fine.
How much you’ll pay in fines depends on the severity of the traffic violation.
Drivers who do not follow the speed limits can be putting themselves and others at risk.
It is important to understand and obey the speed limits.
Read More: What Is The Speed Limit In A Parking Lot?
Speeding laws vary by state.
Your state’s DMV site will have state-specific speeding laws.
The laws state that
Here are the maximum penalties for speeding tickets in each state.
| State | Maximum Fines | Maximum Jail Time (months) | License Suspension (months) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $500 | 6 | 6 |
| Alaska | $10,000 | 12 | 12 |
| Arizona | $500 | 6 | 6 |
| Arkansas | $250 | 12 | 6 |
| California | $1,000 | 6 | 6 |
| Colorado | $500 | 6 | 6 |
| Connecticut | $1,000 | 1 | 12 |
| Delaware | $300 | 6 | 6 |
| Florida | $500 | 12 | 12 |
| Georgia | $1,000 | 12 | 12 |
| Hawaii | $500 | 12 | 6 |
| Idaho | $300 | 6 | 6 |
| Illinois | $1,000 | 12 | 12 |
| Indiana | $500 | 2 | 12 |
| Iowa | $1,000 | 12 | 12 |
| Kansas | $500 | 6 | 6 |
| Kentucky | $500 | 6 | 6 |
| Louisiana | $500 | 6 | 6 |
| Maine | $500 | 6 | 6 |
| Maryland | $500 | 6 | 6 |
| Massachusetts | $500 | 6 | 6 |
| Michigan | $500 | 3 | 12 |
| Minnesota | $300 | 6 | 6 |
| Mississippi | $500 | 6 | 6 |
| Missouri | $500 | 6 | 6 |
| Montana | $500 | 6 | 6 |
| Nebraska | $500 | 6 | 6 |
| Nevada | $1,000 | 6 | 6 |
| New Hampshire | $500 | 6 | 6 |
| New Jersey | $500 | 6 | 6 |
| New Mexico | $500 | 6 | 6 |
| New York | $300 | 0.5 | 6 |
| North Carolina | $500 | 6 | 6 |
| North Dakota | $500 | 6 | 6 |
| Ohio | $500 | 6 | 6 |
| Oklahoma | $500 | 6 | 6 |
| Oregon | $500 | 6 | 6 |
| Pennsylvania | $300 | 6 | 6 |
| Rhode Island | $500 | 6 | 6 |
| South Carolina | $200 | 1 | 6 |
| South Dakota | $500 | 6 | 6 |
| Tennessee | $2,500 | 12 | 12 |
| Texas | $500 | 6 | 6 |
| Utah | $750 | 6 | 6 |
| Vermont | $500 | 6 | 6 |
| Virginia | $250 | 6 | 6 |
| Washington | $500 | 6 | 6 |
| West Virginia | $200 | 6 | 6 |
| Wisconsin | $300 | 6 | 6 |
| Wyoming | $750 | 6 | 6 |
Enforcement of speeding laws is typically done by police officers patrolling.
Law enforcement uses radar guns to detect drivers making speeding violations.
When you’re caught breaking the speed limit, you’ll get hit with:
You’ll also have to attend traffic school in states like California, Florida, Maryland, etc.
Some areas also use speed detection devices like:
Read More: How Long Can A Car Be Parked On A Residential Street?
Speeding can have serious consequences.
They range from:
Speeding increases the risk of a crash happening.
It can also lead to:
Merit points on your driving record can result in a suspension or revocation of your license.
Other penalties may include court appearances, community service, and even jail.
It is important to remember that speeding is dangerous for not only the driver.
But it’s also dangerous for other people on the road, sidewalks, and bike lanes.
It is best to obey speed limits and drive safely to stay safe.
The most common speeding ticket fines and penalties are:
No, you cannot get a felony for speeding.
Most speeding violations are misdemeanors, not felonies.
A person may be charged with a felony if they are accused of reckless driving.
Or if they are driving at extremely high speeds.
Speeding and reckless driving are serious risks to a person’s health and safety.
Reckless driving can include:
When drivers speed, their reaction time gets diminished.
This means they may be unable to stop or react to a dangerous situation in time.
Additionally, excessive speeds:
When a vehicle goes faster, a collision’s deadly force is also greater.
Crumple zones are designed for normal speeds.
Excessive speeding can make crumple zones ineffective.
As a result, the potential for serious injury or death becomes much higher.
In some cases, the driver or passengers may not survive the collision.
The potential consequences of reckless driving are not worth the risk.
Speeding is a crime to protect pedestrians and other motorists on the road.
Read More: What Happens If Someone Wrecks Your Car And They Aren’t On Your Insurance?
Reckless driving gets used to describe dangerous driving behavior, like:
Yes, speeding is reckless driving.
Reckless driving is any action that endangers the safety of:
Speeding is reckless driving because it increases the risk of an accident or injury.
A driver’s response time lags at higher speeds as well.
This increases the risk of collisions with other vehicles.
And it reduces the effectiveness of safety features like:
There is not a set numerical value indicating that speeding is reckless driving.
Driving at any speed for the conditions can get considered reckless driving.
Some examples of reckless driving could be moving violations like:
Penalties for reckless driving vary from state to state.
But the most common penalty for reckless driving is:
In most states, reckless driving is a misdemeanor offense.
Felony reckless driving results in:
Some other things you’ll face with reckless driving are:
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Our law firms have the experience needed with traffic law to defend you.
Meaning you’re not needlessly:
The cost of a reckless driving ticket varies by state.
The average cost of a reckless driving ticket is $200 – $1,000.
There are other costs associated with getting a reckless driving ticket, like:
If you are facing a conviction for speeding, fill out the form on this page.
Our criminal defense attorneys have the experience you need to defend your rights.
This way, you don’t:
You deserve a fair trial in the criminal justice system.
We can provide you with that.
We provide free consultations and legal advice for criminal offenses.
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