The fines and fees are projected to generate about $85 million. Richardson said a sizable chunk of that would likely go to beleaguered Grady Memorial Hospital. The Atlanta public hospital, which serves many of the region's needy and severely injured, is facing a massive deficit that threatens to put it out of business. The other 14 trauma centers elsewhere throughout the state have also complained of underfunding.

``I've waited and watched and it's time to do something about it. We need a funding source and we need to get it going soon,'' Richardson said.

Richardson said motor vehicle accidents account for some 70 percent of trauma injuries so it makes sense to have drivers them bear the burden.

Richardson said the proposal would tack on an extra $10 fee on vehicle tag renewals. It would also slap steep fines on so-called super speeders, those driving more than 85 miles per hour.

The death rate in Georgia from traumatic injury is 20 times the national average, and ways to provide the hospitals that treat trauma victims was discussed frequently during the last legislative session but ultimately went nowhere. Perdue's plan to fine super speeders was one casualty of the session.

Richardson said the governor was on board with the plan, which would combine the speeder proposal with the tag fee.

``I believe me and the governor being together on it is a very good step in the right direction,'' Richardson told reporters on Thursday.

But a spokesman for Perdue said the governor had not made any decision yet on trauma funding.

``There was a meeting with the speaker and there were good productive discussions,'' Perdue spokesman Bert Brantley said.

``He's not made a decision. There are a lot of options on the table.''

Trauma centers differ from regular acute care hospitals in that they have teams of specialty surgeons like orthopedists and neurosurgeons on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week. They also have high-tech equipment on hand to treat the most severe injuries on site.

Every year, Georgia trauma centers provide $170 million in uncompensated care, according to a legislative study committee. That's largely due to uninsured victims who are rushed in for lifesaving care. The committee recommended $85 million as a first step toward combatting the problem.

Traumatic injuries are the leading cause of death in the United States for those ages 1 to 44.

(Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)