A crash last year on Interstate 16 has prompted lawmakers to propose a bill that would put tougher restrictions on how fast trucks can travel on Georgia highways. Currently, any vehicle caught going more than 20 miles per hour over the speed limit is subject to Super Speeder penalties, which consistent of a fine of $200 on top of any fines associated with the traffic ticket. According to the Athens Banner-Herald, the new legislation proposes to make truckers driving 100,000 pound commercial vehicles “Super Speeders” at only 10 miles per hour above the speed limit. The threshold for cars and other non-commercial vehicles would not change.
Supporters of the bill argue that when trucks get into accidents, the outcomes are serious and often deadly for any cars that are involved. Hospitals are also in support of the bill, as the additional fines collected would go to aiding their trauma centers.
Opponents, including the Georgia Motor Trucking Association, counter that having two sets of standards only creates more danger for all drivers. It makes no sense, they argue, to hold truckers who are professionally trained to a lower speed limit than the other amateur drivers on the road. WOTC-Savannah reports that still others think that reducing the Super Speeder margin is a good idea but only if it is universally applied to every vehicle on the road.
The bill was introduced in February and is currently before the House Motor Vehicle Committee. If approved by the committee, it would go to a vote before the House.
