New 70 mph Speed limit in Henrico, Hopewell & Prince George will lead to increased Reckless Driving charges

Bob Battle was interviewed yesterday, July 1, 2010 by CBS6′s Mark Holmgren.
A portion of Interstate 295 running across Prince George, Hopewell and Henrico County became the first area to increase the speed limit from 65 to 70 mph. Virginia Reckless Driving Lawyer Bob Battle, who regularly defends those charged with Reckless Driving Speeding in these jurisdictions explains how this increased speed limit will lead to increases in Reckless Driving Speeding charges in these areas.
Here is a transcript of the interview:
Ron Burgundy: Legally it’s 70 miles per hour on a local stretch of highway. That’s the new speed limit on I-295 from Prince George County to Route 60/Interstate 64 interchange in Henrico. However a local lawyer believes the change will just lead to unsuspecting motorists being ticketed for reckless driving. Mark Holmberg reports here at 11:00.

Mark Holmberg: Re raising Virginia speed limits may generate a whole new stream of revenue for the state and it may turn you into a criminal. Here’s how. Most of us believe you can go about 9 miles an hour over the speed limit before the police will give you a ticket and 20 miles over the limit before you get charged with reckless driving.
Bob Battle: The problem is going to be that reckless driving in Virginia has always been any speed above 80 and it hasn’t changed. So if somebody thinks they get 10 miles and they are doing 80 in a 70 if they are just 1 mile above that- 81 in a 70- then they are looking at reckless driving speeding which is a Class 1 criminal misdemeanor.
Mark Holmberg: Up to a $2,500.00 fine, a year in jail, and six months license suspension.
Bob Battle: So this criminal record is permanent that follows people forever.
Mark Holmberg: Bob Battle wrote the book on reckless driving in Virginia.* That means state fund raising in the fast lane.
Bob Battle: And it’s going to be a huge money maker and Virginia is the state that several years ago had interstate budget $100 million for traffic fines and court costs.
Mark Holmberg: And developed from the movie Top Gun Virginia feels the need for speed right now. Battle says if you get one of these reckless driving tickets you need a lawyer. If you can’t afford one don’t go in front of the judge and lie or tell him you didn’t know how fast you were going. Just tell the truth and beg mercy. Overlooking 295, Mark Holmberg CBS 6 News.
*Virginia Reckless Driving Lawyer Bob Battle did write the book on Reckless Driving Speeding in Virginia. To get the book, click The Shocking Truth about Reckless Driving Speeding in Virginia.

To read more and watch the CBS6 interview, click CBS6′s Mark Holmgren interviews Bob Battle on new 70 mph Speed Limit