Was this Tesla Cybertruck targeted by the Georgia State Patrol?
"I was given a 'super-speeder' ticket in Georgia. The State Patrol officer said I was going 89 mph when my Tesla Cybertruck was on cruise control at 82 mph. Now, I risk losing my license."
Brantley May says that in a Tesla Cybertruck Owner's Facebook post. He thinks the Georgia State Patrol unjustly targeted him for speeding excessively in his Tesla Cybertruck. Check out his story, and let us know what you think.
First, imagine driving your Tesla Cybertruck on a rural interstate highway in Georgia, and you have your cruise control set at 82 miles per hour. However, the speed limit is 70 miles per hour.
You spot a State Patrol car ahead of you in the left lane, and it's going the same speed as you are. The officer pulls into the right lane to let you pass him. After you pass him, he returns to the left lane, turns his lights on, and pulls you over.
Now, the State Patrol officer says you are going 89 miles per hour and gives you a "super-speeder" ticket, anything over 85 miles per hour. However, your cruise was set at 82 mph. You risk losing your license if you don't pay the ticket and the extra fine.
Was the Patrol officer's radar malfunctioning, or was this a case of a Tesla Cybertruck being unfairly targeted by the Georgia State Patrol? Brantley's story certainly raises some questions.
Here is what Brantley says.
"I'm driving through Georgia, and this officer gave me a ticket for going 89 miles per hour, but we are going the same speed. I will show you what happens in my dash cam video."
"The Georgia State Patrol car brakes and slows to leave the passing lane. So, I thought, okay, that's nice, he's getting out of the passing lane, and I'm on cruise control by the way. It's set at 82 miles per hour. So, I'm maintaining the same speed. I'm not speeding up or changing speeds."
"Soon after, the officer turned his lights on and pulled me over. So, the officer is behind me, my Cybertyruck is on autopilot, and I still have it on cruise control, at 82 miles per hour. "
"He comes up to my window, and the officer tells me I was going 89 miles per hour, and anything in Georgia over 85 miles per hour is considered a 'super-speeder' fine."
"I said, No, I was on cruise control, going 82 miles per hour, being honest, so I was going 82, but he refuted that and said no, you were going 89 mph. He explained that my super-speeder fine means paying an additional fine since I was doing an excessive speed."
"If I don't pay it, my license will be suspended, and a warrant will be out for my arrest. So, I’m like sheesh, okay."
Brantley Calculated His Speed Using His Dash Cam Video
"So, what I did, was to just calculate how fast I was going using the video footage from my truck. So, I calculated my speed based on the 40-foot distance between the end of each white divider line on the highway from end to end and how long it takes to travel between them."
"I passed the first line that's 40 ft, the second 80 ft, and the third line 120 ft. It took exactly one second. If you do the math, 120 feet in one second is 81.8 miles per hour. So, I was only going 82 miles per hour."
Does Brantley Pay the Fine or Fight It In Court?
"Now, I have to drive back up to Georgia to present my case or I can just pay the ticket or have my license suspended and a warrant out for my arrest.
What is the speed limit in Georgia on a rural interstate divided highway?
The speed limit in Georgia is 70 miles per hour on a rural interstate, 65 miles per hour on an urban interstate or a multi-lane divided highway, and 55 miles per hour in all other areas.
Brantley was driving his Tesla Cybertruck on a rural interstate highway, so he was going 12 miles per hour over the legal speed limit. He admits to that. However, he was going 82 miles per hour.
What is a "super-speeder" fine in Georgia?
The super speeder fine in Georgia is an extra $200 penalty added to speeding tickets. This fine is assessed in addition to any other fines and court costs related to the initial speeding violation. Super speeders are drivers exceeding 75 mph on a two-lane road or 85 mph on any other road or highway. So, the officer was being truthful with Brantley.
However, the officer's radar did not calculate his speed correctly, or Brantley was targeted because he was driving a Tesla Cybertruck. What do you think?
Conclusion
The Georgia State Patrol baited Branley. The officer pulled over to let the Cybertruck pass him. This was Branley's first mistake. He should have slowed to the legal speed limit, 70 miles per hour, and pulled into the slower traffic lane.
Branley's second mistake was to pass the officer, not slow down, and he maintained his speed, which was 12 miles per hour over the speed limit. Any State Patrol officer will think you are either flagrantly disobeying the speed limit or not paying attention to what's happening around you.
Passing a State Patrol officer when speeding is just asking for trouble. Arguing with him was his third mistake after he passed the officer and did not even attempt to slow down.
Does Brantley have a case where he can prove he wasn't going 89 miles per hour?
He probably does, but it will take a day in court, hiring an attorney, and paying the extra court costs. Brantley should bite the bullet and pay the additional $200 super-speeder fine and $150 for going 19 mph over the posted speed limit. So, he'll have a $350 speeding ticket plus the additional court costs related to the initial speeding violation.
So, it was an expensive lesson for Brantley.
The Georgia State Patrol officer claims Brantley was speeding at 89 miles per hour, a significant violation leading to a 'super-speeder' ticket. However, Brantley insists his cruise control was set at 82 mph. The stakes are high, with Brantley risking his license and being arrested if he doesn't pay the fine.
In the Facebook post comments, Mark Gabriel Martinez says, “Scenarios like this are just better not to push your luck with law enforcement (even though you were going with the flow of traffic or above the speed limit a bit). I’d slow down to the speed limit or less than 4 mph above. Not worth the trouble and wasted money.”
Brantley says, “I agree! I was being a little cocky and it backfired.”
What Do You Think?
Was Branley targeted because he drives a Tesla Cybertruck? Click the red Add New Comment link below and let us know your thoughts.
Check out my Tesla Cybertruck story: My Tesla Cybertruck Just Drove Itself Back To the Dealer Because of the Heavy Debt I Owe, Come Back Cybertruck
I am Denis Flierl, a Senior Torque News Reporter since 2012. My 30+ year tenure in the automotive industry, initially in a consulting role with every major car brand and later as a freelance journalist test-driving new vehicles, has equipped me with a wealth of knowledge. I specialize in reporting the latest automotive news and providing expert analysis on Subaru, which you'll find here, ensuring that you, as a reader, are always well-informed and up-to-date. Follow me on my X SubaruReport, All Subaru, WRXSTI, @DenisFlierl, Facebook, and Instagram.
Photo credit: Denis Flierl
Comments
Sounds like the officer…
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Sounds like the officer paced him. I don’t think he could get radar on him. It sounds pretty obvious that the officer has added a few extra mph on there to hit him with the super speeder. Honestly, you don’t pass a police officer when you are already going well over the posted legal speed. He deserves the punishment for that one mistake by itself. But slapping him with bogus extra mph is BS. He needs to fight it or pay extra for higher insurance premiums for the foreseeable future. This is gonna be a lot more expensive than the ticket alone if he doesn’t fight it.
So they are firebombing…
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So they are firebombing dealerships, torching Supercharger stations, keying cars, now the police is pulling over Teslas. Oh man what's next...?
I had rented a 2024 Model Y…
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I had rented a 2024 Model Y performance to see how a Tesla was on a long trip. Fort Myers to Alpharetta GA. I especially wanted to try the FSD. I grew up on the South so I knew the first 80 miles up I-75 into Ga was over patrolled to phrase it politely. I dialed the Cruise speed down to 74 to be safe. However the car kept going up in speed over 80 and the cruise was now set to 85. I took it off FSD and drove it through GA. On my way back I tried FSD again. Same thing. I finally noticed what was going on. Every time it saw a speed limit sign, it set the current Max Speed to vehicle MAX speed. I am new to driving aTesla and I still plan to buy one. Great Ride.
Why is this even being…
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Why is this even being discussed? You have an arrogant little shite going significantly over the speed limit even at 82 miles per hour, and in front of law enforcement. He showed no respect for public safety, the LEO, or the laws of the state of Georgia. I am done with the rampant stupidity and arrogance of people today. I have no sympathy for this idiot.
Pay the fine. Don't pass…
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Pay the fine.
Don't pass cops. Ever.
I think you are most likely…
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I think you are most likely correct. Maybe you should try to go the extra mile and not draw attention to yourself. I'd go to court and defend myself. You on the other hand may not want to deal with the hassle. Why do you drive that vehicle?
What is the speed limit…
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What is the speed limit there? Unless you are in Montana or Wyoming why would you think 85 or 89 is ok ?
In Georgia, the general…
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In Georgia, the general speed limits are as follows: 30 mph in urban and residential areas, 35 mph on unpaved county roads, 70 mph on rural interstates, 65 mph on urban interstates or multi-lane divided highways, and 55 mph in all other areas. Looks like to me you deserved the ticket.
Untrue conclusion, car…
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Untrue conclusion, car speedometers are not accurate. An officers calibrated speed gun will not lose to an uncalibrated factory set odometer unless you have calibrated it to the range of speed you were traveling, as speedometers are typically not linear either and are a function of your wheel sizes, etc. cybertrucks still use traditional wheel sensors.
What’s he smoking? He…
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What’s he smoking? He passes highway patrol doing 12mph over the limit by his own reckoning.😂😂
He made his bed lie in it by…
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He made his bed lie in it by yourself! Sounds like a attention move to say you got a speeding ticket in a cyber thing
If you don't think it's…
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If you don't think it's right, fight it in court. However, as you were intentionally speeding kind of shows what kind of a driver and person you are, so it's your own fault. You intentionally set your speed at 12 mph over the speed limit knowing that you'd get fined more if you had set it 15+ miles per hour over the speed limit. Do not, under any circumstances, ever drive in Ontario. They don't fool around with "super speeders" (It's called Stunt Driving), and It's frounded upon. They take your driver's license. They impound your vehicle. I think you're expected to walk to court.
I was also pulled over…
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I was also pulled over saying 89 miles per hour while going 78 on cruise control. Making money for county in GA. Not driving a Tesla!
Way back in 1996 I was…
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Way back in 1996 I was headed home form y dealer in my brand-new BMW 325 and was pulled over...by a Deputy Sheriff! He told me he clocked me at 90mph. I denied it, told him that the car was in break-in so I didn't exceed 3500 rpm which was under 80 mph (speed limit was 65.) We had a little back-and-forth until he confessed that he wanted to see the car, that he owned a BMW 2002 collectible. I also had one so we broke some ice and he decided to let me go with a verbal warning. The next day he phoned me At HOME to tell me I should be more careful with my speed. I agreed.
If you speed pay up no…
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If you speed pay up no matter what kind of car you drive corsair or corvette. Ford Chevy dodge all can speed
Yes, driver should not have…
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Yes, driver should not have been driving 12 mph over limit, and should have slowed down in presence of police. But that doesn't excuse police lying about speed to make violation greater. Doesn't Tesla have electronic record of speed? Driver can prove speed from dash am. It will cost more to fight ticket but is worth it for long term. Lawyer should not be necessary for traffic court and argument is not a point of law, but a point of facts. Police officers are not judges. I successfully argued an at-fault determination by police.
he got caught speeding, end…
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he got caught speeding, end of story
Speeding is speeding. He…
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Speeding is speeding. He deserved the ticket.
Show him the gps data and…
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Show him the gps data and tell him to start sucking 🤣
Speeding is speeding. He…
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Speeding is speeding. He deserved the ticket.
First, you need to add…
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First, you need to add driving the wrong direction to the charges. The yellow line is to the right of the vehicles in the cover photo!
Its a called a speed limit…
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Its a called a speed limit for a reason. Goes to show he owns a ridiculous vehicle and thinks he's above the law. I drive in GA all the time actually grow up in GA. The GSP are a fair bunch from my prospective but I don't drive 82mph in a 70 and i dont own a Nazi Fruck. Hope you lose your license.
What was not mentioned is…
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What was not mentioned is your car insurance. I received a SS ticket in GA 3 years ago and have been paying $100 extra monthly on my insurance since. That adds up to $3600. I say go to court. I took the same advice and paid the ticket. Save some money and face the judge. My penalty comes off my record next month.
Bottom line: speeding is…
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Bottom line: speeding is going anything over the posted speed limit. So speeding is speeding, period.😁😇🙏❤️
It's almost worse to admit…
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It's almost worse to admit you had cruise set to 12 miles over the speed limit. It's willfully speeding. However, it's worth fighting in case they don't have proof of 89 mph.
So noone thinks the cyber…
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So noone thinks the cyber truck speed could have been off? Your just blaming the cops radar? I had a car for a few years and every time I drove by one of the digital speed signs on the road..either the permanent one or the ones that the cops position in places to show your speed..my car always said 3mph less than what those speed signs said. The cyber truck is a big ugly anyway...should be pulled over just for being so ugly
Why are there only 2…
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Why are there only 2 targeted options. What about the option that his cruise control was wrong? You say either he was targeted or the radar was wrong, maybe the Tesla's speedometer/cruise control were wrong. Anything to make the police the bad guy. Libtards. Article is retarded. Sometimes, just obey the law and see what happens.
Yeah cops are nothing but…
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Yeah cops are nothing but road pirates and tyrant nazis. F THE POLICE!
He can try requesting the…
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He can try requesting the driving data from Tesla during that time period. It would be the easiest way for him to fight it if he really wanted to. Also, no. He wasn't targeted by highway patrol for driving a Tesla. He was targeted for driving like he stole it.
Brantley is a fool. He was…
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Brantley is a fool. He was probably going 82. And then passed a cop on a road with a 70mph speed limit. And guess what? Got pulled over for what? Speeding. That extra 7mph amd super-speeder fine? Yeah, that's the "play stupid games, get stupid prizes" penalty. Idiot. Squared.
Pagination