What is considered 'severe speeding' in most regulations related to driving offenses?

Severe speeding is typically defined as exceeding the speed limit by a significant margin, which is often set at 15 mph over the posted limit in many jurisdictions, including North Carolina. This threshold is used to categorize the offense as particularly dangerous, reflecting a level of recklessness that can result in more stringent penalties or fines. When a driver exceeds the speed limit by this amount, it not only increases the risk of accidents but also indicates a blatant disregard for traffic laws.

Consequently, the classification of severe speeding acknowledges this heightened danger and supports law enforcement’s aim to improve road safety. Other lesser amounts over the speed limit, such as 5 to 10 mph, while still violations, do not typically carry the same severity in terms of legal repercussions and are often treated as minor offenses in comparison to driving 15 mph above the limit.