Fines increase for flagrant speeders Last Update: 5/01 4:54 pm Print Story | Set Text Size Small Set Text Size Medium Set Text Size Large Set Text Size X-Large Those who are convicted of exceeding the speed limit in the city of Topeka by 11 MPH or more will pay a much heftier fine beginning May 11th. Fines and court costs for those who exceed the speed limit by 10 or less mph will remain the same. Municipal Court Administrative Judge Steve Ebberts said the increases will not only set fines at a comparable level to several other Kansas communities, but more importantly send a message to drivers that if they don’t slow down, it may cost them. "The greater the disregard for public safety, the steeper the fines climb,” Ebberts said. “No one likes higher fines – especially those who are convicted of speeding. But no one wants to be the victim in a high-speed crash and the intent of this change is to help curb dangerous behavior in order to protect the public.” For instance, under the current fine schedule, speeding 65 in a 40 mph zone – 25 mph over the speed limit – is a $60 fine plus $66 in court costs, or $126 total. Under the new schedule, the fine will be $150 and the court costs $66, for a total of $216. Ebberts notes that, according to a comparability study completed by members of the Kansas Municipal Judges Association, total fine and court costs for those speeding 25 mph over the limit are $250 in Lenexa, $200 in Overland Park, $204 in Lawrence, and $235 in Olathe. In other changes, those accused of speeding greater than 25 mph over the speed limit will not have the option to simply pay the case without appearing in Court. Instead, they will be required to appear in court before a judge.
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