Which States Have the Strictest Driving Laws?

All experienced drivers know the rules of the road depend on which state you live in. Whenever you cross into a different state, you have to be on the lookout for changing speed limits, different stances on cell phone usage, and drastically varied minimum and maximum sentences. While every state is different, there are some areas that take much stricter stances than others. Read on to learn which states have the strictest driving laws in terms of speeding, cell phone use, and driving under the influence.

Steepest Speeding Fines

No U.S. state requires jail time for speeding. However, many states will turn your speeding ticket into a reckless driving charge if you’re going too far over the limit. For example, if you drive 15 mph or more over the speed limit in Arkansas or North Carolina, the state will automatically turn your charge into a reckless driving case. This can lead to steeper fines and a jail sentence. However, the strictest speeding penalties exist in Georgia, Illinois, and Virginia. Georgia’s maximum speeding fine is $2,000, while Illinois and Virginia both have a maximum speeding fine of $2,500. In all three states, you can land a maximum jail sentence of one year.

Strictest Cell Phone Laws

Whether you’re texting or calling, cell phones create a distraction for drivers. If you’re not careful, that distraction can turn into a disastrous accident. That’s why many states have some form of laws restricting cell phone use behind the wheel. Delaware and New Jersey hold the strictest rules in this regard, banning texting and hand-held cell phone use for all drivers. They also have rules that prohibit any kind of cell phone use for school bus drivers and novice drivers with a learner or intermediate license. Other strict states—including Illinois, Arizona, and Georgia—have similar bans, but allow novice drivers to use their cell phones if they’re above a certain age (usually 19 years or older).

Strictest Drunk Driving Laws

When it comes to which states have the strictest driving laws, one of the most important issues is drunk driving. In this scenario, the strictest states are often the ones that have consistently severe consequences. This includes fines, jail time, driving privileges, and additional requirements such as SR22 insurance or ignition interlock devices. For example, Arizona requires all drunk drivers to install an ignition interlock device in their vehicle after a first offense. A first offense can also land you a $750 fine, 10 days in jail, and a 90-day license suspension. A second offense leads to even steeper consequences, and a third offense will automatically turn your DUI from a misdemeanor into a felony. Meanwhile, Georgia holds similar jail sentences but only has a minimum fine of $300 for a first offense DUI.

DUIs, reckless driving charges, and other violations can lead to an SR22 requirement in certain states. Like the rest of these issues, some states have stricter rules and requirements than others. Fortunately, Serenity Group can help you learn more about SR22 insurance in California or any other state with SR22 laws. By quickly and easily finding the best SR22 insurance quotes, you can put more of your energy toward the other rules and requirements of your state.