Driving too Fast for Conditions

Have You Been Charged with Driving Too Fast for Conditions in Georgia?

When driving in Georgia, there are numerous traffic laws that drivers must be aware of. Many laws are straightforward while others are subjective. Driving too fast for conditions is one of those offenses. Even if you are under the speed limit, you could still be charged with driving too fast for conditions. Our Georgia Traffic Ticket Lawyers have decades of experience with fighting tickets and can help with yours now!

What Does Driving Too Fast for Conditions Mean?

The U.S. Department of Transportation deems driving too fast for conditions as exceeding a “reasonable standard” for safe driving. According to O.C.G.A. §40-6-180

“no person shall drive a vehicle at a speed greater than is reasonable and prudent under the conditions and having regard for the actual and potential hazards then existing. Consistently with the foregoing, every person shall drive at a reasonable and prudent speed when approaching and crossing an intersection or railroad grade crossing, when approaching or going around a curve, when approaching and traversing a hill crest, when traveling upon any narrow or winding roadway, and when special hazards exist with respect to pedestrians or other traffic or by reason of weather or highway conditions”.

In simpler terms, getting a ticket for driving too fast for conditions in Georgia means that a person was driving at a speed that impaired their ability to control the car in specific situations. A person could receive a ticket for driving too fast even when there has been no other traffic violation. This is a subjective standard and thus, depends on the specifics of the case. The “conditions” that the statute alludes to can be:

Rain
Snow
Heavy traffic
Fog
Bad weather
Slippery road
Visibility issues
Driving too fast on a curve

What is the Penalty for Driving Too Fast for Conditions in Georgia?

O.C.G.A. §40-6-180 is also known as the “Basic Rules” statute. A conviction for a basic rule violation will not result in points being added to your driving record. Therefore, it is punished by a fine of less than $1,000.

However, there is an exception for CDL drivers. All violations against CDL drivers are reported to the Department of Driver Services. They are held to a higher standard, and it is critical that you hire an experienced Georgia Traffic Ticket Attorney if you are a CDL driver.