Why 90 in a 55 Speeding Tickets Are So Severely Penalized

Understanding 90 in a 55 Speeding

Getting pulled over for speeding can be an annoying and costly experience for drivers. But few speeding violations draw the ire of traffic cops quite like 90 in a 55 violations - driving 90 mph in a 55 mph zone.

Why 90 in a 55 Is Considered Severe Speeding

Many interstate highways, rural roads, and urban freeways carry posted speed limits ranging from 55 to 70 mph. So traveling 90 mph or faster represents at least a 20 mph increase over the legal limit.

In nearly all jurisdictions, driving 20 mph or more over the posted speed limit meets prosecutors definition of reckless driving. And a 90 in a 55 violation begins entering the range for excessive speeding charges as well.

As a result, the penalties and fines for 90 in a 55 infractions tend to be quite severe compared to more minor speeding tickets.

The Statistics on High Speed Crashes

The data paints a dire picture on just how dangerous traveling 90 mph on public roads can be. According to the IIHS, fatality rates jump dramatically once collisions occur at speeds faster than 50 mph.

In impacts ranging from 50 to 70 mph, an estimated 80% of pedestrians struck will die from their injuries. And cars colliding at 90 mph are simply not structurally designed to protect occupants at such extreme velocities.

This speed threshold where survivability rapidly declines illustrates why courts penalize 90 in a 55 violations so harshly.

Common Legal Consequences for 90 in a 55

Given the exponential rise in crash severity and fatalities at 90+ mph, the legal repercussions usually prove severe and multifaceted. Common penalties include:

License Suspension or Revocation

Many states authorize immediate administrative license suspension for drivers clocked at speeds 20 mph over the limit. 90 in 55 violators face automatic 30 to 90 day suspensions as agencies assume them too dangerous.

And additional DMV hearings may follow to fully revoke licensing for up to 5 years given the severity and willful disregard for safety demonstrated.

Steep Fines and Surcharges

Monetary fines for just 20 mph over the speed limit hit the $200 to $400 range in most states. But doing 90 in a 55 often warrants fines ranging from $500 to as much as $1,000 depending on aggravating factors.

Courts also tack on a bevy of painful surcharges and assessments - often $100 or more - on top of base fines. So a 90 in a 55 ticket can easily spiral over $1,000 in costs.

Jail Time in Extreme Cases

While exceeding posted limits by 20 mph meets reckless driving criteria, state laws get far harsher for speeds 30+ mph over the limit - sometimes called wanton disregard for safety. Hitting 90 in a 55 exceeds this threshold.

As a result, first time offenders traveling at such extreme speeds may serve up to 30 days in jail if injuries or deaths occur. And repeat instances may warrant felony charges and years of incarceration depending on context.

Mitigating Factors in 90 in a 55 Cases

Despite the seemingly black-and-white nature of numerical speed limits, courts recognize certain subtle factors that may mitigate penalties in 90 in a 55 cases:

Downhill Environments

Officers citing drivers for excessive speeds take road grade and context into account. Vehicles naturally accelerate faster descending steep grades from momentum even without pressing the accelerator.

As a result, speeding violations occurring on sharply downhill sections of limited grade highway may see modest fine or license suspension reductions during adjudication.

Traffic Flow Pace and Density

Courts also consider environmental speed factors before passing judgement. If traffic volume was extremely light at the time of violation, judges may interpret the risk level somewhat reduced.

Similarly, traveling with dense packs of vehicles all moving at the same 90 mph clip helps demonstrate the violator was not acting erratically compared to road conditions and norms.

Vehicle Capabilities and Design

Driving a perfectly maintained sports car designed aerodynamically to handle higher sustained speeds isnt legally permissible. But judges may consider the advanced engineering allowing stable 90 mph travel possible when weighing license restrictions.

Thus, offenses occurring in highly capable vehicles sometimes result in fewer license demerit points since basic control remained more feasible at speed.

The Lasting Impact of Reckless Driving Citations

Beyond immediate 90 in a 55 consequences, even first-time excessive speeding offenses bring lasting fallout exacerbating future legal run-ins.

Difficulty Finding Affordable Car Insurance

A reckless driving citation involving 20+ mph over the posted limits triggers automatic high-risk classification with insurers. Premiums enter a higher tier for the next 3 to 5 years making coverage difficult to afford.

Some specialty insurers may eventually provide quotes, but costs typically remain over 150% higher compared to rates prior to a 90 in a 55 violation.

Compounding Penalties for Future Speeding

The vast majority of states implement escalating penalties and surcharges with each successive speeding violation on a drivers record.

So even minor 5 to 10 mph infractions after a previous 90 in a 55 citation may accumulate 6 month suspensions and over $500 in fines - treated as de facto second reckless driving offenses.

Long Term DMV Driving Records Impact

Excessive speeding tickets stick on DMV records for at least 5 years in nearly all jurisdictions. But many states never remove reckless driving offenses from background checks and driving histories.

As a result, a single 90 in a 55 long ago can undermine employment prospects requiring driving years later. And good luck passing rigorous commercial trucking clearance checks in the future after such a severe infraction.

Avoiding 90 in a 55 Violations

Given the extreme legal consequences and danger posed at such unlawful speeds, drivers have an obligation to exercise restraint and smart judgement behind the wheel.

Allowing slight leeway over the speed limit on clear open roads may pose little risk. But once acceleration approaches 80+ mph, things escalatequickly. Disciplining oneself to keep speeds reasonable remains imperative to safety for all.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.