New ‘excessive’ law will fine drivers up to $1,000 and take away their car even if on a private road or parking lot

Severe violations could even lead to a 30-day prison sentence

DRIVERS risk hefty fines up to $1,000 if they are found guilty of reckless driving as part of a new crackdown.

And, financial penalties are not the only sanction offenders could face as the most frequent could end up having to spend time behind bars.

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A state’s new legislation targets extreme reckless drivers, imposing fines up to $1,000 for speeding over 100 mphCredit: Getty

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Motorists may face hefty penalties for reckless driving under the proposed bill advancing through state legislationCredit: Getty

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Lawmakers push for stricter penalties against “super speeders” to combat the rising number of speed-related crashes and fatalitiesCredit: Getty
The new legislation is designed to punish “extreme reckless drivers” caught traveling at more than 100 mph on public roads.

If the bill is signed into law, perpetrators face increased fines of between $200 and $600.

However, severe violations could even lead to a 30-day prison sentence, while repeat offenders face fines of up to $1,000.

They could even have their vehicle impounded for up to 48 hours until fines are paid – along with towing and storage costs.

The law change, coming to Connecticut, comes after the University of Connecticut found “more than 5,600 speed-related crashes occurred in the state over the previous 12 months, at least” – of which 55 were fatal.

Indeed, two different reckless driving bills have been introduced – targeting so-called “super speeders”.

Both have since been absorbed into House Bill No. 7260.

Though the details varied, the proposed bills called for at least a $500 fine and a two-point drivers’ license endorsement for drivers found to be traveling between 87 and 99 mph.

In excess of 100 mph, these increased to at least a $1,000 fine and a four-point penalty.

The ruling is currently heading to the state Senate – having advanced through the House with unanimous, bipartisan support.

Connecticut Attorney General, William Tong, says the unanimous vote on the bill “sends a powerful bipartisan message to those who ignore our laws and imperil our safety – this reckless misconduct will not be tolerated.”

As reported by Middletown Press, state Rep. Donna Veach said “increasingly dangerous” conditions of Connecticut’s roadways prompted her to propose a bill.

“Regardless of where I am going, if I am traveling on the highway to get there, I witness quite a few drivers who are traveling at a high rate of speed, many of which are weaving in and out of traffic,” Veach said.

Last month, Sun Motors revealed drivers face having new speed devices installed in their cars against their will under a new law that limits the ability to accelerate.

The technology, which takes control of your car if you hit a certain speed and it even knows the posted speed limit, is being considered in an attempt to crack down on “super-speeders”.

When speeders are caught, penalties are often limited to a fine or a driver’s education class.

And even if their license is suspended, a federally funded study found 75% continue to drive.

This has led lawmakers to turn to tech to help them curb super-speeders with various state legislators exploring the use of something known as an Intelligent Speed Assist, or ISA.

ISA systems, which can be installed while a car is manufactured or afterward, use GPS to identify the speed limit on a road segment.

They help stop drivers from going more than a programmed amount – meaning extreme speeding becomes difficult or even impossible.

Currently, no US states have laws forcing all drivers to install an ISA system.

However, so-called super-speeders may soon be required to have the technology installed.

The most recent state to mandate ISA technology is Virginia, which passed a law giving judges the authority to require drivers who exceed 100 mph to install the system in their cars.

Meanwhile, the District of Columbia was the first jurisdiction to pass such a law.

California State Senator Scott Wiener also proposed a bill requiring ISA systems in all new cars sold in the state, but it was vetoed by Governor Gavin Newsom.

Arizona, California, Georgia, Maryland, and New York are also considering their own proposals, which include a limited “override” feature that allows further acceleration during emergencies.