This driver has received a significant fine for violating this driving law. Recently, in order to stamp out illegal driving practices, states are coming down harder than ever with associated penalties for breaking the laws of the road. These include increasing fines, including jail time for convicted drivers, and even changing maximum speeding rates altogether. With speeding accounting for approximately one-third of road accident serious injuries and fatalities, these penalties are intended to keep all road users safe.
Increasing penalties for illegal driving
Stamping out illegal driving practices is possibly one of the hardest things for law enforcement and policymakers to enforce. This is because if a road user breaks road safety legislation and driving policies, it requires law enforcement to be physically present to enforce the penalty, or it requires someone to report another road user’s driving. Further, because road users frequently break the laws of the road and are not harmed, the perceived risk of breaking these laws is seen to be lower than compared to other pieces of legislation.
As such, policymakers are upping the penalties associated with breaking the laws of the road to deter road users from not adhering to these policies. In addition, more locations across the country are starting to use automated camera technology to assist traffic police officers with catching road users who are breaking the law. This camera technology is usually reserved for catching speeding drivers, as well as the use of red-light technology, which is intended to catch drivers who drive through red lights instead of stopping.
Other states are also recognizing the link between phone usage and distracted driving, which causes road accidents, with more lawmakers making it illegal to use your phone while driving, even if it is purely for navigation assistance. These ‘hands-free’ laws come with penalties such as fines and even the risk of jail time.
Bring $1,000,000 speeding fines to the US?
While the country is seeing increased penalties associated with speeding drivers, nothing compares to what happened to a Swedish driver over a decade ago. In 2010, Switzerland authorities fined a Swedish driver $1 million for driving 180/mph in a 72/mph zone.
Switzerland has a unique fining system, whereby the wealth of the driver is taken into account in determining the fine they must pay for violating road legislation. This policy ensures that fines do not unfairly target lower-income drivers and keep wealthier drivers in check, who may be tempted to break road legislation if they feel that the fines are inconsequential to pay.
To date, the highest speeding fine issued in the US was on account of a technical error, where a Georgia driver was issued a $1.48 million fine. However, the driver only had to pay $1,200 in actuality. The Swiss system of ticketing, whereby it is very much possible to receive a fine of over $1 million, may be something for state authorities to consider.
New legislation penalties next month for this state
One state that has significantly upped its penalties for reckless driving includes Nevada, where, starting October 1 this year, the following penalties will be introduced:
- Reckless driving: Drivers can be fined up to $1,000 as well as receive 60 days’ worth of jail time.
- Negligent driving: Drivers can be fined up to $750.
Increasing driving penalties such as these showcase to road users that law enforcement is taking a zero-tolerance approach to breaking the laws of the road. Protecting the lives of all road users is a responsibility you take as a driver, and adhering to these safety policies is what you are required to uphold if you are granted the privilege of being issued a license and freedom to drive. Violations of these laws are not to be taken lightly, as protecting human lives is essential.
