Politician caught driving at 107mph claims speed limits don’t apply to her

A politician roaring through the streets at 107mph in a 65mph zone has claimed she should not be held to the same standard as constituents. State Representative Ellen Read, 46, was allegedly caught speeding by officers who clocked her at 107mph in a 65mph zone in December 2024.

A separate incident is outstanding and is believed to place Read behind the wheel driving at 92mph in June last year. According to court documents, Read has claimed she has “legislative privilege” to drive at those speeds. The privilege means she cannot be arrested while travelling to or from the legislature. The lawmaker has since asked for the charges to be dismissed.

Read was convicted of negligent driving after the first traffic stop and has a sentencing hearing scheduled in August, the Boston Globe reported. A charge of speeding in relation to a separate traffic stop has been rescheduled after the judge recused himself in April.

Laywers representing Read have likened the state official to a first responder and suggest her speed limit breach is justified. They have not offered explanation as to what would justify the speeds.

Her attorney, former fellow state lawmaker Daniel Hynes, argued that legislative privilege meant evidence that led to Read’s negligent driving charge was illegally obtained and moved to have it dismissed, but the motion was denied. She was found guilty of the non-criminal charge and fined $1,240.

The August hearing is for a deferred portion of the sentence, with Read facing potentially tougher sentencing. Read had allegedly shouted at a deputy officer during the second traffic stop and claimed the officer had no understanding of the law.

Major Christopher Bashaw with the Rockingham County Sheriff’s Office says the interaction between the officer and Read lasted 10 minutes. He added: “I don’t think anyone in the general public believes that just because a state representative is traveling to or from session that they are immune to committing any violation or crime.

“That would be absurd to think that somebody could cause an accident and kill somebody and not be held accountable.”