Kansas Highway Patrol requests fine increase for excessive speeding

WICHITA, Kan. (KWCH) – Kansas legislators are contemplating a invoice that might enhance penalties for drivers going 30 miles over the pace restrict.

The Kansas Freeway Patrol wrote over 3,300 tickets in 2021 to drivers going over 100 miles per hour. The variety of tickets almost doubled from 2019 to 2021.

Final 12 months in Wichita, the very best pace clocked by a driver was 134 miles per hour.

“Once we’re speaking about motorists which can be driving 30, 40, 50 miles over the posted pace restrict,” mentioned Trooper Chad Crittenden. “Effectively, they know what they’re doing and so they’re disregarding their very own security and anyone else out on the roadway as properly.”

Trooper Crittenden mentioned at that pace, one thing so simple as a tire blowout may finish in a lethal crash.

At the moment, the wonderful is $195 for rushing at 30 miles over the restrict, plus, $15 {dollars} per mile over 30. The proposed invoice would enhance that wonderful to $500, plus $20 per mile over 30. The invoice would additionally enhance a second violation to $750 and $1,000 for a 3rd violation inside 5 years.

“In the event you’re going to be that reckless, going 30 miles over, I imply you’re form of asking for it at that time,” mentioned Wichita driver, Nathan Peck. “So, I’d agree with that invoice.”

Driver Chanda Franklin says if the invoice passes, she simply needs to see it enforced.

“Then hopefully, that can sluggish individuals down extra and so they’ll be extra cautious. Lives matter. So, you shouldn’t be rushing,” she mentioned.

After Wednesday’s listening to, the invoice stays within the Home Committee on Transportation.

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