Higher Speeding Fines Proposed

State Sen. Bruce Sweeney plans to introduce legislation next year to boost fines for people who drive even faster than the new higher speed limits set to go into effect next month.

The current fine is $47 for violations of less than 20 mph over the limit and $102 for violations of 20 mph or more. The Lewiston Democrat wants the $47 fine to apply to speeds up to just 6 mph over the limit, and to fine motorists $250 or $300 for higher speeds.

Two weeks ago, the Idaho Transportation Board decided to raise speed limits on most of the state’s 570-mile interstate system to 75 mph as of May 1 and the limits on about 600 miles of other state and federal highways to 65 mph in mid-May.