As the nation's highways sit mostly free of traffic due to coronavirus lockdowns, more and more drivers are being pulled over for speeding above 100 mph, according to a report by CBS News.
With most of the country under shelter in place orders since March, dangerous and reckless driving has become more common on the open road, say officials in several cities, including in metro Atlanta, where 52 people have been stopped for speeds of 100 mph or more on Ga. 400 and I-285 in the past three weeks.
At least one car was traveling up to 129 mph, officials said.
“People have turned 400 and 285 into NASCAR,” Sandy Springs Mayor Rusty Paul said earlier this month. “Just because people are staying home doesn’t open the roadways to excessive speed.”
On March 24, Sandy Springs police posted images to Twitter of a crash to remind drivers to slow down. But just a week ago, a motorcyclist traveling 172 mph outran Sandy Springs police on Ga. 400.
Similar scenes are being witnessed around the country, according to CBS.
Virginia state troopers recently stopped a car going 111 mph on Interstate 95.
In Memphis, a driver was clocked at 127 mph.
In Colorado, troopers clocked one driver in a sedan at 130 mph, which is 75 mph over the speed limit.
In California, where the average speed of vehicles has risen 30 percent in recent weeks, police are trying to deter speeders by posting public photos of illegal speeds along with the enormous fines being issued.
“We just recently had a speed over 150 mph,” California Highway Patrol Officer John Fransen told the network.
Other departments around the country are making similar efforts.
In Minnesota, traffic deaths have more than doubled.
In New York City, speed camera tickets soared by more than double in March.
The hashtag #slowdown was trending on Twitter.
Penalties for speeding
Reckless speeding in many states can punishable by arrest, hefty fines, vehicle seizure and/or a suspended license.
Georgia’s super speeder law, which was approved in 2009, tacks an extra $200 fine onto a ticket for anyone convicted of speeding at 75 mph or more on a two-lane road or at least 85 mph on a larger highway.
The state annually receives tens of millions of dollars from the extra fines.
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