A resident of Savannah, Georgia, was recently shocked to receive a speeding ticket with a staggering fine of $1.4 million. Connor Cato was pulled over by a Georgia State Patrol officer in Chatham County for driving at 90 mph in a 55 mph zone, a violation that qualifies as a “super speeder ticket.”
Cato was aware that he would be receiving a hefty ticket for his violation, but the seven-figure sum left him astounded. Upon contacting the city, he was informed by an operator that the amount was not a mistake. He was given the option to either pay the fine or appear in court on December 21.
City officials in Savannah clarified the situation, explaining that the $1.4 million figure was a placeholder, not the actual fine. The placeholder is used for anyone caught speeding 35+ miles per hour over the limit, as such violations require a mandatory court appearance. The actual fine is determined by the judge during the court hearing.
The city further elaborated that the base amount for the placeholder is $999,999.99, which, when combined with other costs, totals $1.4 million. This system has been in place since 2017 and is not enforced. The city representatives also clarified that the maximum fine for such a violation cannot exceed $1,000.
The city of Savannah is now working on adjusting the language in e-citations to prevent future confusion. A spokesperson for the city stated that the placeholder amount was not implemented to intimidate or coerce people into appearing in court.