Georgia Deputies Clock SUV at 172 MPH, Fueling Debate Over Dodge Durango Hellcat

1 articles · Updated · Yahoo Autos · May 24

Douglas County deputies said they recorded an SUV at 172 mph before Memorial Day weekend and used the stop to warn drivers about speeding, seat belts, phones and impaired driving.
A blurry Facebook photo appearing to show a Dodge Durango turned the post viral, with commenters disputing whether the radar reading was accurate and whether the vehicle could reach that speed.
The debate centered on the Durango SRT Hellcat, a 700-plus-horsepower model with a factory-rated top speed near 180 mph; standard Durango trims are typically limited far below 172 mph.
Georgia law adds "Super Speeder" penalties above 85 mph on highways, and a speed approaching double that could also bring reckless-driving charges, license sanctions, steep insurance costs and possible jail time.
The episode landed during one of the year's busiest travel weekends, underscoring the danger of extreme speeds in heavy holiday traffic even as online reaction split between alarm and performance-car fascination.

As 700-horsepower SUVs become common, are speeding laws losing the battle against performance-glorifying car ads?

Beyond huge fines and jail time, what new strategies can actually prevent the next 172 MPH highway run?

At 172 MPH, a driver can cover a mile in 21 seconds. Why did this one decide to stop for the police?