The Georgia legislature has voted overwhelmingly to support Governor Sonny Perdue and his goal to make Georgia a safer state. Today the Senate passed the "SuperSpeeder" bill that would save lives by targeting the worst-of-the-worst of speeders on Georgia highways with higher fines and reinstatement fees designed to support the trauma centers that treat Georgia's crash victims.

Under the new law, motorists who speed at 85-miles-an-hour or more on our multiple lane highways, or at 75-miles-an-hour or more on two-lane roads, would have to pay $200.00 in fines to the state, above the cost of any local speeding tickets.

"We know by passing Governor Perdue's "SuperSpeeder" legislation, we will save lives in Georgia," said Director Bob Dallas of the Georgia Governor's Office of Highway Safety (GOHS). "Most drivers don't realize that about a quarter of our crash deaths in Georgia involve excessive speed," he said. Georgia suffered more than a speeding death-a-day during 2007.

"So this is truly unique legislation," said Director Dallas. "Because not only will it help reduce the number of crashes, deaths, and severe injuries, but the fines produced will also provide revenue for trauma care in the event a crash occurs."

Most motorists are unaware that 60-percent of Georgia trauma admissions are victims of vehicle crashes.

Under "SuperSpeeder" high-risk drivers who have their licenses suspended for excessive points would also face safe driver course requirements and higher reinstatement fees. The fines and points are all designed to change the high-risk behavior of high-risk drivers to be called "SuperSpeeders."

"We look forward to Governor Perdue signing this legislation into law," said GOHS Director Dallas. "And we look forward to working with all our highway safety partners in Georgia to educate the public about this lifesaving "SuperSpeeder" law before it becomes effective."