A brand new nationwide evaluation of rushing enforcement reveals sharp variations in how states police drivers, situation citations, and penalize harmful speeds — disparities that form all the pieces from roadway security to courtroom caseloads and insurance coverage prices. The examine, carried out by Bader Legislation, analyzed greater than a decade of federal fatality information, 5 years of state‑reported visitors caseloads, and comparative high-quality constructions to know the place drivers are most probably to be ticketed and the place rushing poses the best danger.
Rushing stays one of the vital persistent threats on U.S. roads. In response to the Nationwide Security Council, rushing contributed to 28% of all visitors deaths in 2024, killing 11,258 folks nationwide. Whereas that determine is barely decrease than 2023’s 11,775 deaths, Bader Legislation’s evaluation reveals that enforcement patterns fluctuate dramatically throughout states — and people variations affect each driver conduct and roadway outcomes.
40 Million+ Rushing Tickets Issued Yearly
Bader Legislation’s evaluation estimates that U.S. regulation enforcement points greater than 40 million rushing tickets yearly. In 2024 alone, states reported 32.43 million incoming visitors instances, a 4% improve from 2023 regardless of an extended‑time period decline of 37% since 2012.
Visitors stops stay a significant level of contact between police and the general public: federal information reveals 12.4 million drivers have been detained throughout visitors stops in 2022, representing 5.2% of all U.S. drivers.
Younger drivers and motorcyclists proceed to be disproportionately concerned in deadly rushing crashes. In 2023:
- 37% of male drivers and 19% of feminine drivers aged 15–20 concerned in deadly crashes have been rushing — the very best of any age group.
- Amongst motorcyclists aged 21–24, 51% concerned in deadly crashes had been rushing.
The place Drivers Are Most More likely to Encounter Pace Traps
The examine identifies the ten states with the very best focus of velocity traps per lane mile:
Delaware, Maryland, Tennessee, South Carolina, Hawaii, Virginia, California, New Jersey, Louisiana, and Rhode Island.
In contrast, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Nebraska have the fewest velocity traps — but North Dakota and South Dakota nonetheless rank among the many states issuing the very best proportion of rushing tickets.
States Issuing the Most Rushing Tickets
Bader Legislation’s evaluation reveals that some states ticket drivers at far increased charges than others. The highest ten states with the very best proportion of drivers holding a rushing ticket are:
| State | % of Drivers With a Rushing Ticket |
|---|---|
| North Dakota | 8.7% |
| Wisconsin | 7.8% |
| Ohio | 7.8% |
| Iowa | 7.1% |
| Idaho | 7.1% |
| Wyoming | 6.8% |
| South Dakota | 6.7% |
| Virginia | 6.6% |
| Utah | 6.5% |
| Oregon | 6.4% |
Visitors Caseloads: Texas Leads, Georgia Surges
Between 2020 and 2024, Texas recorded 44.3 million visitors instances, excess of some other state. New Jersey (30.8 million) and California (24.6 million) adopted.
However probably the most notable outlier is Georgia, which ranks sixth with 13.57 million instances — unusually excessive for the nation’s eighth‑largest state. Bader Legislation’s evaluation reveals Georgia’s visitors caseload grew 11.54% over the 5‑yr interval, one of many steepest will increase within the nation.
States With the Largest 5‑Yr Visitors Caseloads (2020–2024)
- Texas – 44,382,567
- New Jersey – 30,868,460
- California – 24,615,502
- Florida – 16,852,926
- Pennsylvania – 14,410,520
- Georgia – 13,574,202
- Michigan – 13,379,022
- Ohio – 12,066,675
- New York – 9,197,335
- Illinois – 8,105,590
Georgia’s rise displays a mixture of aggressive enforcement patrols, excessive‑velocity corridors, and dense city congestion — components that Bader Legislation notes contribute to the state’s unusually excessive enforcement depth.
The place Rushing Fines Hit Drivers Hardest
The examine compares fines for exceeding velocity limits by 10 mph, 15 mph, and 40 mph. Key findings embody:
- California, Arizona, Nevada, Texas, and Florida impose the very best fines for 10 mph over the restrict.
- Nevada, Florida, and Arizona lead for 15 mph over.
- Illinois stands out with a staggering $2,500 high-quality for exceeding the restrict by 40 mph — the very best within the nation.
Georgia is comparatively lenient at low extra speeds however turns into considerably punitive at increased thresholds, rating:
- seventh highest for 15 mph over
- ninth highest for 40 mph over
Georgia’s separate “Tremendous Speeder” surcharge — a $200 penalty for driving above 75 mph on two‑lane roads or above 85 mph on multilane roads — additional elevates the price of excessive‑velocity violations.
Rushing Fatalities: Texas and California Lead
From 2014 to 2023, Texas recorded 12,659 rushing deaths, the very best within the nation. California adopted with 12,081. Different excessive‑fatality states embody Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Illinois, and South Carolina.
Georgia, regardless of its excessive enforcement quantity, does not seem within the prime ten for rushing fatalities — a sample Bader Legislation suggests could also be influenced by the state’s strict penalties for prime‑velocity violations.
States with the fewest rushing deaths embody:
- District of Columbia (144)
- Vermont (229)
- Rhode Island (274)
- Alaska (278)
- North Dakota (316)
Monetary Penalties Lengthen Past Fines
A single rushing ticket raises the typical U.S. full‑protection insurance coverage premium by 22%, growing month-to-month prices effectively past the preliminary quotation. Regardless of these monetary pressures:
- Greater than 30% of Individuals have been caught in a velocity lure
- Over 30% proceed rushing even after receiving a ticket
Bader Legislation’s evaluation additionally highlights the monetary pressure fines place on low‑revenue drivers. Solely 5% of adults charged with fines or charges in 2024 have been requested whether or not they might afford them.
Georgia’s Enforcement Panorama
Georgia’s enforcement depth stands out throughout a number of metrics:
- 13.5 million visitors instances processed between 2020–2024
- 11.5% caseload development over 5 years
- Excessive penalties for 15 mph and 40 mph over the restrict
- A singular “Tremendous Speeder” regulation concentrating on excessive rushing
But Georgia additionally ranks among the many states with the lowest fines for 10 mph over, a discrepancy which will contribute to its excessive quantity of enforcement actions.
A Nationwide System With No Uniformity
Bader Legislation’s examine underscores a central actuality: rushing enforcement within the U.S. is extremely fragmented. States differ broadly in:
- Enforcement depth
- Fantastic constructions
- Use of automated programs
- Courtroom reporting practices
- Cultural attitudes towards rushing
These disparities form driver conduct, roadway security, and the monetary burden positioned on motorists.
