Speeding tickets in North Carolina aren’t just inconvenient—they can spike your insurance rates by 20-30% and add points that haunt your driving record for years. With speeding contributing to 12% of fatal crashes and over 400 speed-related deaths in 2024 alone, the state is doubling down on enforcement. Enter the latest initiative: the “Speeding Catches Up With You” campaign, launched by the North Carolina Governor’s Highway Safety Program (GHSP) on July 21, 2025, and running through July 27. This week-long crackdown ramps up patrols on highways and local roads to target excessive speed and aggressive driving. Here’s what you need to know about the campaign and how to respond if you’re caught in the crosshairs.

Overview of the “Speeding Catches Up With You” Campaign

Building on annual efforts like the spring “Speed a Little, Lose a Lot” initiative, this 2025 campaign emphasizes that speeding isn’t just a ticket—it’s a potential killer. GHSP Director Mark Ezzell highlighted the stakes: “We refuse to accept the needless tragedies caused by speeding,” noting nearly 400 speed-related fatalities last year. Key elements include:

• Enhanced Enforcement: Increased patrols, checkpoints, and radar use statewide, from I-95 in the east to I-40 in the west. Law enforcement focuses on highways where speeds often exceed limits by 10-15 mph, but local roads aren’t spared.
  
  

• Public Awareness: Billboards, social media, and radio spots warn that even 5-10 mph over can double crash severity. The campaign ties into broader NHTSA efforts, promoting defensive driving like obeying limits and avoiding distractions.
  
  

• Timing and Scope: Running July 21-27, it aligns with summer travel peaks. Similar to the April “Speed a Little, Lose a Lot” (April 14-20), which boosted tickets by 15%, expect a spike in citations.
  
  

Colonel Freddy Johnson Jr., NC State Highway Patrol commander, stressed: “Speed limits are set to keep all roadway users safe.” In 2024, speeding ranked as the fourth leading crash factor, fueling this aggressive response.

Impact on Drivers: Higher Fines, Points, and Insurance Hits

North Carolina’s penalties for speeding are no joke, and campaigns like this amplify enforcement:

• Fines and Points: 1-9 mph over: $20 fine, no points. 10-14 mph: $50 + $188 court costs, 3 points. 15+ mph: $100+ fines, 4-5 points, possible license suspension. During the campaign, expect more 15+ mph stops, as seen in prior years with 20% more high-speed tickets.
  
  

• Insurance Ramifications: A single ticket can raise premiums by $200-500 annually for three years. Multiple citations during crackdowns compound this—avoid it by contesting effectively.
  
  

• 2025 Context: Amid proposals to raise interstate limits from 70 to 75 mph, enforcement targets those exceeding even the new thresholds, raising questions on safety.
  
  

If your ticket stems from a crash, it ties into broader injury claims under NC’s contributory negligence rule, potentially barring recovery if speeding is deemed a factor.

How to Defend Your Speeding Ticket Online

Getting pulled over during this crackdown? Don’t panic: Here’s a quick playbook:

1. Request a Hearing Promptly: You have 30 days to contest via the NC DMV online portal. Log in, pay the fee, and schedule a virtual or in-person hearing—many resolve without court.
   
   

2. Gather Evidence: Challenge radar accuracy (calibration logs often outdated), officer notes, or signage visibility. Weather or traffic flow can argue “necessity” in some cases.
   
   

3. Plea Options: Negotiate for a prayer for judgment continued (PJC)—no points or insurance hit for a small donation. Or take a defensive driving course to dismiss points.
   
   

4. Leverage the Campaign: High ticket volumes during crackdowns mean overworked prosecutors; 40% of contested tickets get reduced or dismissed with solid prep.
   
   

If your ticket escalates to a traffic violation with injury, explore simple intake ateztrafficticket.com.

Also check your ticket status at theNC DMV Violations Portal.

The “Speeding Catches Up With You” campaign is a stark reminder: Speeding wrecks lives, but a ticket doesn’t have to wreck yours. By driving the limit and knowing your defense options, you can avoid the long-term sting.