A super-speeder fine is one of the worst traffic tickets in Georgia, and it makes sense to avoid this financial penalty if you can. As its name suggests, this ticket is worse than the average speeding fine, and it applies to motorists who drive well over the speed limit. But what if you believe that the officer made a mistake? How do you prove that you were driving slower than your ticket indicates?
What is a Super-Speeder Ticket in Georgia?
Like many other states, Georgia has a special traffic ticket for “super-speeders.” The added penalty is an extra $200, added to the fine of your underlying speeding ticket. You’ll face a super-speeder fine if you reach a speed of 75 miles per hour on a two-lane road. You might also face this ticket if you reach a speed of at least 85 miles per hour on any other road or highway.
Do Police Ever Issue Speeding Tickets by Mistake?
Yes, police officers sometimes issue speeding tickets by mistake. Georgia gives motorists a chance to contest these tickets, and courts are well aware that these errors happen from time to time. Many officers today use technology like radar guns to determine vehicle speeds. However, some methods may be less reliable, and officers might also attempt to gauge the speed of vehicles with only their “MK-1 eyeball.”
How Do You Prove You Were Going Slower?
You might be able to prove that your vehicle was traveling slower than your super-speeder ticket indicates. A recent article in Torque News highlighted an incident in which a Georgia driver allegedly received a super-speeder ticket for driving 82 miles per hour on a highway. As previously noted, drivers can only face these tickets if they reach speeds of 85 miles per hour.
The driver in question had cruise control activated at the time, meaning he was “locked in” at 82 miles per hour. The driver seemed to imply that the officer who pulled him over did not use any technology to gauge his speed, perhaps relying on the squad car’s speedometer to make this judgment.
Since the defendant’s vehicle was equipped with a dashcam, he was able to calculate his vehicle’s speed by timing the intervals between white highway markers on the side of the road. These highway markers are situated exactly 40 feet apart, and some basic math allowed the driver to confirm he was actually traveling at 82 miles per hour.
This is just one example of how someone might prove that their speed was lower than the traffic ticket indicates, and there are many other possibilities.
Can a Traffic Ticket Defense Lawyer in Georgia Help?
If you want to beat a super-speeder ticket in Georgia, you might want to speak with an experienced traffic defense attorney. These legal professionals may be able to help you prove that you were driving at a lower speed than your ticket indicates. Not only could this help you avoid fines, but it might even help you keep your license. Contact Lankford & Moore Law today to learn more.
