How Much Over the Speed Limit is a Felony?

Many believe that driving over 100 mph is a felony offense. This is simply not true. Realistically, the only way speeding could possibly lead to a felony is if the driver’s dangerous maneuvers killed or seriously injured someone. Regardless, speeding remains a serious public health issue and can cost a driver their freedom and license–yes, even without a felony having been committed.

Standard Speed Limits in Nevada

Standard speed limits in Nevada are competently provided under state law to ensure road safety. According to NRS 484B.600, it is unlawful to operate a vehicle at a speed that is unreasonable for conditions, endangers life or property, exceeds posted limits, results in injury, or at a rate exceeding 80 miles per hour under any condition.

Furthermore, how much over the speed limit is a felony depends on whether the actions include reckless endangerment, result in serious injury, or create highly unsafe conditions.

Key speed limits are:

• Residential Districts: 25 mph unless otherwise indicated by a signage.
• Urban Freeways: usually 55-65 mph.
• School Zones: 15 to 25 mph during posted hours
• Rural Highways: Up to 80 mph in some areas.

Under Nevada’s “basic speed law,” drivers should reduce speed based on weather, traffic, and road conditions.

Is Speeding a Misdemeanor?

Yes, it is a misdemeanor under Nevada law. Penalties under NRS 484B.130 include up to a $1,000 fine or up to six months in county jail or 120 hours of community service, with the execution to run consecutively to the principal offense. Double penalties may apply when designated signs indicate work zones, but penalties still apply if a violation causes injury or damages exceeding $1,000, even without signs. Exceptions exist for emergencies or zones with speed limits of 25 mph or less near residential areas

Also, driving with willful disregard for the safety of persons or property is illegal, such as engaging in, aiding, and abetting in any unauthorized speed contest or in driving trick driving exhibitions on public highways.

In Nevada, most speeding violations are classified as misdemeanors. A typical speeding ticket involves fines, traffic school, or points on your driver’s license. However, speeding becomes a more severe offense if:

• The violation involves reckless driving.
• The speed exceeds a specific threshold, leading to potential felony charges.

For example, exceeding 100 mph or causing harm due to speeding may elevate the charge beyond a simple misdemeanor.

Why Is Speeding So Dangerous 

Speeding, whether a Nevada misdemeanor or not, robs society of too much: 

• Speeding wastes precious gasoline, hurting the climate and planet  
• Speeding increases the probability of a crash being serious, leading to serious injury and preventable, senseless deaths 
• Speeding makes the economy suffer as it leads to unnecessary property damage and medical expenses 
• Speeding raises the likelihood of losing control of your vehicle, ultimately leading to worse traffic accidents like spin-outs  
• Speeding reduces the safety benefits of airbags, seatbelts, and anti-lock braking systems  
• Speeding increases your car’s stopping distance—this means when you approach the same road hazard as other drivers, you will be far less likely to avoid hitting it 

Excessive Speed Statistics  

Are you really familiar with the true dangers of speeding? Since speeding is something people see and do pretty much every day, it has become very normalized. That does not mean it isn’t deadly. Here are a few statistics to help you appreciate the consequences of driving over the posted speed limit: 

• 11,258 people died in 2020 due to speeding—this is more than 30 lives everyday!
• Sadly, excessive speed and driving drunk and high do seem to coincide. For example, twenty-five percent of speeding drivers under the legal drinking age were drunk or high when they caused deadly collisions. 
• In 2020, one-third of all traffic accident deaths involved excessive speed. Imagine the lives that could be spared by simply driving at the posted speed limit!  

AB 116 Decriminalized Speeding in Nevada

Effective January 1, 2023, Assembly Bill 116 made it so that misdemeanor traffic violations like speeding, texting while driving, or not wearing a seat belt could no longer lead to arrest warrants in Nevada. Before AB 116, if a driver did not respond to a speeding ticket within 90 days, he or she could have a bench warrant issued for the offense. Such an ignored speeding ticket would lead to simply being found guilty of the infraction. 

Driving 30 mph over the posted speed can lead to a misdemeanor moving violation and loss of your driving privileges, according to NRS 484B.600. To be clear, in the State of Nevada, you can be arrested and go to jail for driving 30 mph over the speed limit.

Finally, in Nevada, the only felony charges you can accrue from driving unsafely are a Hit And Run that results in a serious injury, and DUIs, under certain circumstances, can also be charged as felonies. Again, don’t be fooled – misdemeanors can still lead to jail time in Nevada.

What Are the Consequences of a Speeding Ticket in Nevada?

A speeding ticket in Nevada can result in fines imposed, driving record points, and increased insurance rates. The NRS 484B.653 states that penalties for traffic offenses may include license suspension, additional penalties for violations in work zones or pedestrian safety zones, and vehicle impoundment for certain offenders. It is criminally forbidden to drive with willful disregard for safety, participate in or organize unauthorized speed contests, or engage in/perhaps facilitate trick driving displays on public highways. 

Nevada’s DMV assigns points to speeding tickets: 1 point for 1-10 mph over the limit, 2 points for 11-20 mph, and 3 points for 21-30 mph. If a driver accrues 12 points in one year, their license could be suspended. A serious violation or second offense requires appearing before a court.

The penalties for speeding in Nevada can include fines, demerit points, and potential license suspension. Common consequences are:

• Fines: Ranging from $50 to $1,000, depending on the severity.
• Demerit points: Added to your license and staying on your record for one year. Accumulating 12 or more points can result in license suspension.
• Traffic school: May be required to reduce points or fines.

The specific penalties depend on the violation’s context. For instance, excessive speeding in a construction zone incurs heightened fines and penalties per Nevada law.

Does a Speeding Ticket Affect Your Insurance?

Yes, a speeding ticket will indeed impact your car insurance premium. Generally speaking, the perception of speeding as a riskier behavior tends to increase premiums. The nature of the violation can result in larger or smaller rate increases; minor infractions may provide small adjustments, while repeated offenses or reckless speeds can increase rates steeply.

Consequences can be minimized by attending a traffic school approved by the state for point reduction or fine reduction, shopping for competitive rates since many insurers are lenient toward first-time traffic violations, and keeping a clean record to present a better profile over time.

Receiving a speeding ticket can increase your insurance premiums. On average, a single ticket may raise rates by 20-30%, with severe offenses leading to even higher increases. Factors influencing rate changes include:

• Severity of the offense: Excessive speeding or reckless driving raises rates significantly.
• Frequency of tickets: Multiple violations within a short time frame lead to compounded increases.
• Insurance provider policies: Each insurer evaluates risks differently, affecting premium adjustments.

For residents of Reno, maintaining a clean driving record is critical to avoiding these financial repercussions.

How to Deal With a Speeding Ticket in Reno, Nevada

Addressing a speeding ticket promptly and strategically can minimize its impact. Steps to take include:

1. Review the ticket: Confirm details such as the alleged speed and location.
2. Check Nevada’s laws: Understand the relevant speed limits and potential defenses.
3. Consult an attorney: An experienced Reno-based traffic lawyer can explore options for reducing charges or penalties.
4. Consider traffic school: Completing a course may reduce points on your record.

In many cases, negotiating the ticket or challenging its validity can help mitigate the consequences.

Contact Our Reno Accident Lawyers Today! 

Unfortunately, many people researching felony speeding online have been the victims of other drivers’ excessive speed. If that is your situation, Kidwell & Gallagher car accident lawyers can help you get the compensation you deserve. We handle vehicle-related personal injury cases daily. Our Reno personal injury attorneys are just a phone call or click away. Dial 775-323-2667 to get your questions answered today or try our contact form.

Craig Kidwell

Craig W. Kidwell is the managing partner of Kidwell & Gallagher, Ltd., and exclusively represents injured workers in Nevada. Mr. Kidwell has been practicing workers’ compensation law in Nevada since 1999 and has acted as lead counsel on over 2,000 contested workers’ compensation claims. Mr. Kidwell represents injured workers in Nevada through all stages of Nevada’s complex worker’s compensation system. Craig regularly appears in all levels of Nevada’s administrative workers’ compensation system and has represented injured workers in Nevada’s districts and Supreme Court.

• With more than 21 years of experience in complex litigation cases in Nevada.
• In 2018, the State Bar of Nevada selected Mr. Kidwell as one of the five co-founding board members.
• Mr. Kidwell has lobbied and testified before the Nevada Legislature on behalf of the Nevada Justice.