If you’re going to speed on state roadways and interstates, be prepared to cough up some extra cash – some for your ticket and some for the additional fine of $200 you will have to pay if you’re travelling at excessive speeds – due to the new “super speeders” law, which goes into effect in Georgia on Jan. 1.

The new law launches in just a few days, enforcing drivers going 85 miles per hour or more on the roadways and interstates to pay an extra $200. The state also warns harsh penalties for speeders on two-lane roads, where the fine is applied for those going 75 mph or more. These fines have to be paid on top of the initial ticket the speeder gets for going over the speed limit.

As Christmas arrives, Georgia State Patrol Corporal Joe Stephens of Post No. 29, Cedartown, stressed everyone adhere to the speed limit, not just to avoid getting a costly penalty during the holidays, but to prevent the loss of lives in the community. As of today, the state patrol has issued 1,112 speeding tickets in Haralson County since last January. Stephens said their findings are nearly double the amount of speeding tickets issued during the same time to offenders who were caught next door in Polk County. There, patrolman have bottled 578 speeding tickets.

“Usually, once in a while, we’ll get one driver in Haralson doing over the speed limit,” he said. “Usually, it’s over about 16 or 18 miles, but on the interstate and highway, it’s a different story. On the four-lane and two-lane, the maximum speed limit is 50. On the interstate, the maximum limit is 70. So every now and then, it’s high on the four-lanes, and those are the ones who we really need to apply the regulations of the super speeders law.”

He said that law enforcement will continue to keep a watchful eye out for drivers on Highway 27– an area notorious for speeders. Many tickets are also given on Highway 100 in Tallapoosa, noting that speeders on Highway 120 in Buchanan have brought patrolman to many accidents on that highway.

While the state officials hope the law will reduce roadway fatalities in the state, Stephens says that those who don’t yield to the legislation may be in for an unwanted surprise after they receive their original speeding ticket.

“After the person gets the regular speeding ticket, they’ll get another ticket mailed from the state, which tells them about the $200 fine they have to pay within 90 days from the date that is documented on the letter.”

The state warns that those who do not pay the fine will have their driver’s licenses suspended.

Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue last year said monies collected from the fines would support trauma care for the victims of high-speed accidents in the state to support the state’s other goal to decrease trauma-causing behavior in Georgia.