From October 1, one state is issuing a $1,000 penalty set to target those driving 100 mph or more. While the penalty sounds hefty, the possibility of jail time is also a reality in the state. The legislation entitled Substitute Bill No. 7260 is perhaps the most stringent measure taken in the state to curb the problem of speeding. According to safety officials as well as lawmakers, this is a necessary step to prevent reckless driving.
Pushing the brakes on speeding throughout the state
For those drivers who often choose to drive recklessly, this bill has come in at the right time. As per the new bill, all offenders caught going over the 100 mph speed limit on streets and on highways will have to face a fine or even jail time. The state is being more cautious about drivers exceeding their speed limits near school drop-off and pick-up zones.
Fines for offenders start at $200 and goes up to $1,000 for more severe cases and for repeat offenders. All offenders could possibly face jail time of about a month along with having to pay a fine. Repeat offenders will need to pay the maximum fine amount and face jail time. With that, a four-point penalty will be received on the license, and the repeat offender’s car may face impoundment for 48 hours. More than a million licensed drivers in the state may now face harsher penalties and will have to be mindful of adhering to the speed limit in all places where speed limits are posted.
Why is this precautionary measure being enforced now?
According to data, the state saw over 5,600 speed-related accidents last year, and about 55 of these crashes had fatal consequences. While the traffic has reduced slightly since the COVID-19 pandemic, people are choosing to drive faster, and the average driving speed has increased throughout the state.
According to Attorney General William, speeding has increased, but so too have reckless lane changes. The need for stricter law enforcement is clear, and should the bill be passed, it will need to be signed into law by the Governor of the state.
The road from acquiring a fine to commiting a felony
With this strict rule in place, even first-time offenders will face serious consequences. However, repeat offenders will find that their consequences are much more severe. The second speeding offence could very well mean having to pay off the $1,000 fine or facing a year-long prison sentence. Added financial costs come into play where offenders whose vehicles face impoundment have to pay the towing and storage costs before reclaiming their vehicles.
All drivers who drive between 87 and 99 mph will face a less harsh sentence, receiving a $500 fine and a two-point license deduction. Once offenders reach 100 mph or over, the punishment becomes more serious and can no longer be treated as a light offence. In another state, North Dakota, the speed limit has increased to 80 mph on certain roads in the state, but the overall price of speeding is still high throughout this state.
No more speeding offenders in Connecticut
At the Connecticut General Assembly, it was mentioned that the Senate is still reviewing Substitute Bill No. 7260, and that all drivers in Connecticut are expected to heed the warning that speeding is no longer a possibility in the state. With strong backing, the bill would see Connecticut as one of the most stringent states in terms of serving penalties to speeding offenders.
While speeding became common in the state for a while, the new speeding rule is said to be in place from October 1 and the rule will surely ensure that the speeding problem is curbed and that roads become safer. Citizens should start adopting better road practices. This speeding bill follows the act of launching speeding cameras to terrify drivers in a small town in Connecticut called Washington.
