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I Had My Tesla Cybertruck on Cruise at 82 MPH and A GA State Patrol Gave Me a Ticket For Going 89 MPH, Says Anything Over 85 Is a ‘Super-Speeder’ Fine

Did a Georgia State Patrol target a Tesla Cybertruck? Brantley's Cybertruck was on cruise control, but the officer said he was going faster than the CT said. He now has a super-speeder fine and risks losing his license. Here is his unbelievable story. 
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Author: Denis Flierl
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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?

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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 storyMy 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 SubaruReportAll Subaru, WRXSTI, @DenisFlierlFacebook, and Instagram.

Photo credit: Denis Flierl 

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Comments

Tb (not verified)    May 19, 2025 - 6:04PM

First off, depending on exactly where you are in Georgia, the speed limit is usually between 65 and 75 if you were in area doing 75 and you were doing 82 you are speeding. Now your speedometer on your vehicle can be off 5 mph either way, so yes you were speeding and yes Georgia is the only state that has a super speeder ticket and it is a very costly.

The only option that you have is that you can request when you go to court that you postpone it and find out when the last calibration was on the radar. People do not realize that the calibration on the radar must be done every 30 days if it is not done, the judge can throw out the ticket because the officers radar gone was not in compliance with the law.

Nellman (not verified)    May 19, 2025 - 6:05PM

I like how this is either the cop was wrong or the cop was wrong. Could not possibly be anything else. This article shows why people do stupid things and think they are the "victim". How is this baiting? The cop gave him a huge warning by hitting brakes and moving over, but instead of taking that warning continued to speed at 12 mph over the posted 70 mph.

The speed difference of what was reported and what was written does seem really wrong. But is it because it was an error in equipment or was it reported lower make the person sound better. If it truly is off by 7 mph I would absolutely fight this ticket. If it can be proven the equipment was faulty could have other ramifications for a lot of other speeding tickets issued. You could help out a lot of people by fighting this.


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Diane (not verified)    May 19, 2025 - 6:05PM

Don't take it personally because you drive a Tesla. In 2015 I was going 80 in Georgia got pulled over and got a Super Speeder Ticket too.
Give me a break with all the dramatics because of the political atmosphere. You and I both broke the law!

Gil (not verified)    May 19, 2025 - 6:07PM

My, how times have changed! Used to be the speed limit was 55. The trooper would be doing 50 AND YOU DIDN'T PASS HIM!!!
Your going to have a hard time convincing a judge that you can set your cruise control correctly in court. Just pay the ticket.

William Merk (not verified)    May 19, 2025 - 6:08PM

With all the tech in the tesla and cameras, doesn't anything actually record ur speed? I have a dash cam that records my speed. Would come in handy for this situation

Eugene Mullane (not verified)    May 19, 2025 - 6:13PM

Is it really worth $200.00 to fight this thing? Pay the fine, chalk it up to experience, and don’t speed in Georgia any more.

Chris G (not verified)    May 19, 2025 - 6:13PM

I live in GA and have two comments. First, who *passes* a patrol car knowingly exceeding the posted speed limit by 12 MPH? You were basically begging to be pulled over. Secondly, given all the stories of how poorly the CT is made, what makes you so certain your Teslas speedometer was calibrated correctly?
In any event, just go to court - no need for an attorney - and explain the situation to the prosecutor. He will ask you if you will plead guilty to going 82 in a 70. Tell them you will and they will have you go before the judge and plead guilty to 82/70. You will get a fine, but no super speeder add on. Super speeder fines kick in at 85/70. Additionally, GA will not report the 82/70 to insurance companies. Case closed and in the future consider refraining from passing patrol cars.

Scott M (not verified)    May 19, 2025 - 6:13PM

Georgia State patrol are one of the most notoriously nasty in the country. I wouldn't be caught driving this monstrosity at all there... I'm sure it's not looked at too kindly by their force.

HM (not verified)    May 19, 2025 - 6:14PM

Anyone who owns a Tesla much less a cyber junk truck may as well be riding around with a HUGE sign that says I have a teeny tiny mind and a microscopic manhood 💯😂🤣🤣🤣🤣 Elon is Felon and a neo Nazi who hates America & only cares about how much he can STEAL from it just like fascist traitor Trump

Jeff (not verified)    May 19, 2025 - 6:16PM

Probably should stick with 70 mph speed limit. There is no small print on the bottom of a speed limit sign that says, but we allow for any amount over that. You weren't profiled, you were speeding.

Mike Crockan (not verified)    May 19, 2025 - 6:17PM

It's been reported that tesla odometers are allegedly intentionally inaccurate, wouldn't be surprised if their speedometers are too.

Owningsuperset7 (not verified)    May 19, 2025 - 6:18PM

I don't think this was an incident of the Cybertruck owner being baited or otherwise being targeted for driving a Cybertruck, rather this is yet another instance of the Cybertruck's poor quality coming to light. What most likely happened: While his speedometer and cruise control was showing 82 MPH, the vehicle actually WAS going 89 and the cruse control and speedometer were incorrect, most likely due to some glitch in the vehicle's system. Yet another example as to why Cybertrucks are unsafe for the road.

juicius (not verified)    May 19, 2025 - 6:22PM

So he thinks he wasn't going 89 becuase his speedo said 82 and he timed his speed using his video? First, speedo is known to be inaccurate, although they tend to read higher. But if he has aftermarket rims/tires, the speedo can very well read slower then his actual speed. And the video method at best can give him an estimate.

What he should do is file an Open Record for the Lidar cert and calibration, and if they come back good, pay the ticket. And most likely, they're gonna be good because it's the GSP that certifies the radar/lidar for the entire state and their out of spec rate is almost nil.

Just accept the fact that you were speeding instead doing something idiotic like trying estimate speed with video. The judge will slam him extra hard for being that stupid.

Bill (not verified)    May 19, 2025 - 6:23PM

No one seems to think that maybe the cybertruck's speedometer might be incorrect. There's been a few problems with this vehicle.

James (not verified)    May 19, 2025 - 6:23PM

In Oregon I got pulled over cop said I was doing 80 I had adaptive cruise set at 65 I have front rear cameras on my challenger that rotate he let me go when I showed him my cameras I said you can give me the ticket but I've got everything on Camara so it will show you lying about my speed or you can give me ticket for 65 in 55 because that is legit he said just be on your way set it a little slower 🤣🤣🤣

William Russell (not verified)    May 19, 2025 - 6:25PM

Driver states he was on purpose going 12 mph over the posted limit. Sit down, shut up, and pay the fine for willfully breaking the law.

ALittleWiserNow (not verified)    May 19, 2025 - 6:27PM

I'm not sure that admitting to breaking the law online is a good strategy, but hey, I only work with internal and external counsel daily. What do I know, lol.

Rhinocerpi (not verified)    May 19, 2025 - 6:27PM

First mistake.
Cybertruck
Second mistake.
Speeding
Third mistake.
Having the audacity to pass a state trooper at any speed above the speed limit
Pay your fine(s), an stop crying.

MsV (not verified)    May 19, 2025 - 6:36PM

You were speeding. You broke a few no nonsense ‘rules’ of the road. Pay the fine and go home. If this is reeeeaaally about the ‘vehicle’, just the same go home. 🤷🏼‍♀️

Ishmael22dpl (not verified)    May 19, 2025 - 6:39PM

Your proof is suspect: 1) have you measured those specific painted lines lengths and gaps lengths? Your assumption is that those are precise. 2) why would you use the known to be useless Tesla video as a measuring device? 3) Never use the tools in question to verify themselves! Why didnt you use your cell phone GPS and or another more accurate GPS (Garmin?) to verify that the Tesla's questionable speedo and CT are accurate.
I would not be surprised if Tesla is assuming those lines are the dimensions you assume they are and then setting its speed as if. Error when they were painted would definitely screw you up. Tesla is known to be overly reliant on video. (See the Wile Y Cyote tests that Teslas fail, driving themselves into a wall for just one example)

Go redo your tests using reliable independent tools before you try to figure out whether you've been unfairly targeted.

Julie (not verified)    May 19, 2025 - 6:46PM

If you pass a police officer you are getting pulled over, it's really that simple. It wouldn't matter if it was an ugly cybertruck or a beautiful mustang passing an officer speeding is never going to end well. It wasn't a good idea to even pace him, he should have slowed to the actual speed limit as long as the officer could see him.

John (not verified)    May 19, 2025 - 6:50PM

When the officer clocked you and when you used your camera to calculate may be two different things. As a retired officer I can tell you I used alaser and would clock vehicles over 1500 ft away from me at times. By the time the car saw me they were traveling much slower.
The fact that you admit to setting your cruise control 12 miles over the posted speed and then are upset when you are stopped is amazing. We have all been guilty of speeding and shoild not be upset when actually caught and issued a ticket. You must beleive that 12 miles over is okay as you lock your cruise on it. If you don't have factory size tires you speedometer will be inaccurate which is majority of problems with trucks and large vehicles who love to buy bigger tires.
The fact that you still don't slow down when passing the officer shows as you said that you were a little cocky. Your words not mine.
Slow down. The life you save could be your own. As a Fatality Crash Investigator I can advise that speed and DWI are the prevelant causes of Fatal crashes. Slow down,if not for yourself for the ones who love you.

Guest (not verified)    May 19, 2025 - 6:52PM

I know letting a tesla dive for you is super Subaru! But being an author for Subaru (the flag ship of...!)is even worse. Tell your Tesla to drive off a very high cliff. Or manually steer your Subarooooo off it. You will be doing everyone else a favor. Your the worst!

Ken Waltz (not verified)    May 19, 2025 - 6:53PM

I heard teslas were recording more mileage than actual mileage. On one hand that makes them look like their vehicles are getting further on a charge. And then they use that number to tell the customer is saving driving the Tesla.
But if the odometer is off over you have oversized tires then you could believe your speed is either lower or higher than actual speed.
If you disagree with the speeding charge get your odometer checked.