9 months ago
Drivers with a heavy foot could soon face heavy fines across Georgia.
When the new 'Super Speeders' law takes effect January 1, 2010, motorists caught driving over 75 mph or more on 2 lane roads, and 85 mph or more on any multiple lane roads in the state, will get slapped with a $200 state-issued fine, in addition to local fines.
Georgia state patrol trooper Jim Lewis says he thinks the new fines will deter some speeders, but not all. He says he responds to high-speed crashes regularly, and knows the dangers.
"Speeding on narrow roads, you're not only putting yourself in jeopardy, but you're putting the lives of the other motorists in jeopardy as well," Lewis said.
For the first time, money collected will go towards Georgia's 15 trauma centers, including the unit at the Medical Center of Central Georgia. Dr. Dennis Ashley, who directs the unit and serves as chair of the Georgia Trauma Care Network Commission, says they desperately need the funding.
"This is not going to fund the whole trauma problem, but it does give us a start," Ashley said.
He says nearly 60 percent of all trauma center patients have crash-related injuries.
"The folks that are using the trauma system most are the folks that are driving the fastest," Ashley said, "and this extra tax or burden is on them, so I think that's the fairest way it could be done."
Ashley says the governor's office expects the new law to generate about $23 million each year, but he says they need about $80 million to fund the trauma system and expand so that all Georgians have access to trauma care.
The Medical Center is the third busiest trauma center in the state.
