Police officers target people on the road for a variety of different reasons. Some drivers get pulled over because they swerve all over the road, leading to officers suspecting them of chemical intoxication. Occasionally, officers conduct traffic stops for unrelated violations only to reach the conclusion that a driver must have had something to drink.
A motorist can receive a citation for a traffic violation in addition to getting arrested for a driving under the influence (DUI) offense. Certain types of traffic violations tend to lead to worse penalties than others. For example, someone accused of being a Super Speeder in addition to facing allegations of drunk driving may be at risk of particularly harsh penalties, especially if they simply plead guilty.
What constitutes Super Speeding in Georgia?
The speed at which a motorist travels can put them at risk of a Super Speeder fine. It typically adds $200 to a basic speeding ticket. A driver traveling at 75 miles per hour (mph) or more on a two-lane road could face a Super Speeder fine. The same is true of someone traveling 85 mph or faster on bigger roads or freeways.
How do super speeding citations affect DUI charges?
Technically, a Super Speeding citation is separate from a DUI charge. The primary concern is the possibility of a secondary fine. However, judges hearing impaired driving cases look at the totality of circumstances when deciding what consequences are appropriate.
Someone who was not only over the legal limit for their blood alcohol concentration (BAC) but who also drove in a dangerous manner may face the ire of a Georgia criminal judge. The judge may be more inclined to impose the harshest penalties possible under the DUI statute when there are aggravating factors present. Excessive speeding is one of several factors that can influence a judge’s decision on how to penalize a DUI offense.
Motorists responding to DUI charges in conjunction with a speeding ticket and a Super Speeder citation have several options for responding to their charges. In some cases, there might be a reasonable explanation for someone’s conduct or for why they failed chemical testing. Other times, a combination of remorsefulness and proper treatment for substance abuse issues could inspire lenience on the part of a judge.
Understanding how secondary traffic offenses may influence a pending DUI charge can be beneficial for someone who has been recently arrested. Super Speeder allegations can be a significant complicating factor for those facing Georgia DUI charges.