What is the super speeder law in Illinois?

Motor Vehicles Accidents - January 3, 2023

If you’re a fan of reenacting scenes from The Fast and the Furious on Chicago streets, you could be in for a rude awakening if you’re cited under Illinois’ super speeder law.

Drivers going more than 25 miles per hour over the posted speed limit could face aggravated speeding charges. If you’ve been hit by someone excessively speeding, a Chicago aggressive driving accident attorney can help you learn your rights.

Aggravated speeding in Illinois

What is the super speeder law in Illinois? It’s also referred to as aggravated speeding, a criminal offense. A petty speeding ticket is a less serious offense; it’s when you’re driving 25 miles per hour or less over the posted speed limit.

You may see the terms criminal speeding, excessive speeding, or misdemeanor speeding – they all mean the same thing: aggravated speeding. Aggravated speeding charges fall into two tiers:

Speeding 26-34 mph over the posted speed limit: Class B Misdemeanor offense, with fines of up to $1,500 plus court costs and up to six months in jail.

Speeding 35 mph or more over the posted speed limit: Class A Misdemeanor offense, with fines of up to $2,500 plus court costs and up to 12 months in jail.

If you plead guilty to the charge or a judge finds you guilty of the offense, you will have a criminal charge on your record.

Consequences of violating Illinois super speeder laws

In addition to the criminal penalties listed above, you could suffer additional consequences of an aggravated speeding charge.

First, you could be arrested on the scene, as it’s a criminal offense. While it’s unlikely you would be, the chance is still there. If you get arrested, you may have to secure a bond with your driver’s license, which could impact your ability to work or go to school.

You could also have points on your license after the charge, which may lead to a license suspension. Commercial driver’s license holders may not be able to get a new license if they have this kind of charge on their driving record. Some trucking companies may not hire someone with an aggravated speeding charge on their record.

Or, if you need a license to do your job, like a traveling nurse or salesperson, you may be unable to work.

Dangers of excessive speeding

Speed limits are posted for safety. When someone is speeding, they are acting with reckless disregard for the safety of others on the road. An accident is more likely, as the person speeding may not have enough time to stop if the flow of traffic changes.

Being hit by a speeding vehicle may also cause worse injuries. The faster a vehicle is going when it impacts another, the more force is transferred from the speeding vehicle to the people in the other car. Victims may suffer catastrophic injuries such as permanent brain damage or be unable to work or live independently anymore.

Have you been hit by an aggressively speeding driver?

If you’ve been hit by a driver going at excessive speeds, you could be facing a long road to recovery. You may be able to file a claim for compensation against the at-fault driver.

A skilled Chicago aggravated speeding ticket attorney from Horwitz, Horwitz & Associates is ready to help protect your rights – contact us today at (800) 985-1819 for a free consultation.