If a driver is caught speeding at 60 mph in a 45 mph zone, what speed category does this fall into?

The situation described involves a driver exceeding the speed limit by 15 mph, which places the infraction in a category typically recognized as severe speeding in many jurisdictions, including North Carolina. Speeds that exceed the limit by 15 mph or more often attract heavier penalties due to the increased risk they pose on road safety.

In North Carolina, speeding violations are categorized based on how much a driver exceeds the posted limit. Minor speeding generally applies to small infractions, often seen as less severe, while severe speeding is associated with more significant breaches of the limit. This distinction is important because severe speeding not only indicates a greater disregard for traffic laws but also correlates with a higher potential for accidents, leading to more serious legal consequences, such as heavier fines and potential points added to the driver's record.

Thus, in this specific scenario, with a recorded speed of 60 mph in a 45 mph zone, it falls into the severe speeding category due to exceeding the limit by a substantial margin.