States with worst speeding fines
In July, Virginia began charging most speeders an additional $1,050 fine on top of its usual $300, with drunken drivers there now facing an additional fine of up to $2,250. Other heavy hitting states include Georgia, Illinois and North Carolina, where maximum fines can hit $1,000, as well as New York, Texas and New Jersey.
Obviously, drivers and driver groups are upset at having to pay out more than their share to fund infrastructure improvements — the root of the Virginia fine increases — while some groups believe the fine increase acts as a deterrent against speeding or reckless drivers.
Top 10 States with Maximum Fines for Speeding
States Fines
Virginia $1311
Nevada $1000
Georgia $1000
North Carolina $1000
Illinois $1000
New Hampshire $1000
Utah $750
Oregon $600
Kansas $500
Maryland $500
Source: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
Virginia's new law imposes a mandatory $1,050 fee on anyone convicted of speeding at more than 20 mph over the limit, or anyone traveling 15 mph over the limit in a 65 mph zone. When added to a drunken driving offense, a ticket's total can reach $3,550. Fees are added to almost all traffic offenses, felony and misdemeanor, including reckless driving or even driving with faulty brakes. You can also incur the inflated fine for using the wrong turn signal or driving too fast for conditions. Simple traffic infractions like rolling through a stop sign will not result in an increased fine. Some solace is offered in that only Virginia residents will be targeted – out-of-state drivers won't have to pay the add-on fees, but will still be fined for the original offense, or usually about $300.