FLORENCE, SC (WBTW) – Regardless if you go through a red light or drive above the speed limit, you’re likely going to get a hefty fine. While the fine for speeding in South Carolina hasn’t changed in years, the price you pay in traffic court has nearly doubled. News13 investigated where your money goes when you get a speeding ticket.

If you’re caught going 11 to 15 miles over the speed limit, your ticket will cost you $180. The fine for speeding, however, is just $72.29.

To that, a fee of $25 is added for law enforcement funding. Another $5 goes toward the Criminal Justice Academy. Then there’s a 107% assessment that drives up the cost more than double the original fine.

Of that assessment, only 11.16%  is given to the county.

The remaining 88.84% goes to the State Treasurer. Here’s the breakdown from there:

  • 35% goes to the Shock Incarceration Program
  • 49%  goes to the  Department of Public Safety for training
  • 42% is given to the State Office of Victim Assistance
  • 38% goes to the state’s public defender fund
  • 94% goes toward the general fund
  • 1 % is given to the Attorney General’s Office
  • Finally, less than one percent (.65%) helps maintain the South Carolina Law Enforcement Officers Hall of Fame

State Representative Jay Jordan says the breakdown of funding to different sources from fees for speeding tickets is warranted as each area that receives money can be related to law enforcement or public safety is some way.

“As long as you can draw a line to funding going to areas that are reasonably related from where the money comes, money for law enforcement, money for public safety those kind of things are reasonably related to speeding tickets,” justifies Jordan.

Sheree Swisher, who recently paid a speeding ticket fine, argues most of the categories where the money goes are unrelated to the actual violation of driving too fast.

“Paying criminals to be educated and get a job, I don’t feel like that is my responsibility,” claims Swisher.

In some cases, if you don’t have a bad driving record, you can avoid getting points on your license by paying an even higher fine. News13 learned that additional money also goes back to the state.

A memorandum from the South Carolina Court Administration explains exactly where your money goes.