Speeding tickets - Should the courts be lenient?

Recently, the North Carolina state legislature has considered making leniency more difficult for the courts when it comes to habitual or excessive speeders.  I've included some links to shed light from all perspectives.

Here's a great article that will resonate with almost everyone: http://www.newsobserver.com/news/q/archive/story/575816.html

Studies continue to show that speed is a major cause of injury and fatality on North Carolina roadways. In 2005 alone, there were 540 fatalities and more than 32,000 speed-related injuries on our roads. Source: http://www.ncdot.org/programs/GHSP/initiatives/nn2s.html

Here's a unique approach to keep from getting a ticket - get the speed limit raised where you drive, like this NH driver:
http://www.newsobserver.com/2197/story/620261.html