Kicker: Super speeder, super fine

PAUL BUTLER, HOST: Well, they say actions have consequences, but what about when the punishment far exceeds the crime?

Back in September Connor Cato of Chatham County Georgia was driving 90 in a 55 mile-per-hour-zone when a state trooper pulled him over.

Now, he expected a steep fine when he was issued a super speeder ticket, but not this steep. Audio here from WSAV News 3:

AUDIO: One million four hundred and eighty thousand and thirty-two dollars and fifty-one cents.

MYRNA BROWN, HOST: Noooo! That’s gotta be a typo.

Nope, no typo. Cato called and was told that he must either pay the fine or come to court on December 21st at 1:30pm.

Now, the WSAV reporter covering this story did some digging. She found out that the software the county uses to issue fines automatically sets a placeholder at the highest amount, but then that number is adjusted once the judge sets the actual fine.

Cato is likely looking at a four-digit number in the ballpark of $1,000 after he goes to court.

BROWN: Either way, I’d think twice about gunning 90 next time.

BUTLER: It’s The World and Everything in It.

WORLD Radio transcripts are created on a rush deadline. This text may not be in its final form and may be updated or revised in the future. Accuracy and availability may vary. The authoritative record of WORLD Radio programming is the audio record.