Synopsis

Sammy Hagar and his band tear through a tongue-in-cheek traffic-court nightmare after being pursued by the California Highway Patrol. Hagar is arrested, dressed in a yellow prison jumpsuit, and brought before a flamboyant judge while the band performs amid courtroom chaos. The video then shifts back to the road, where Hagar's black Ferrari 512 BBi becomes the ultimate symbol of his refusal to obey the 55-mph limit. Its comic, over-the-top action turns the song's speeding protest into a miniature rock 'n' roll adventure.

Factoids & Trivia

• The video was filmed at Saugus Speedway in Santa Clarita, California, with additional courtroom and jail sets built for the production.

• Hagar's speeding anthem was inspired by a real ticket he received in New York State after driving 62 mph on the Northway, where the speed limit was 55 mph.

• The black Ferrari featured in the video was Hagar's own 512 BBi. Claudio Zampolli, Hagar's Ferrari mechanic, appears in the video and drove the car during the opening sequence.

• Hagar later said that the shoot damaged the Ferrari's clutch, with repairs costing about $5,800. A Ferrari 308 was also used in the production.

• Music-industry executive John Kalodner appears as the judge. Props for the trial scene were borrowed from Robert Zemeckis' film "Used Cars."

• The jailhouse set had no air conditioning, making the summer shoot particularly uncomfortable for the cast and crew.

• A stuntman handled Hagar's more dangerous action work, including the courtroom stunt involving an exploding ramp.

• David Lee Roth later recalled helping Hagar deal with MTV censorship concerns over the song's use of the word "ass." Hagar confirmed that Roth's account was essentially accurate, although the currently circulating video uses a censored version.

• The yellow jumpsuit worn by Hagar became a piece of memorabilia and was displayed at the New Orleans Hard Rock Cafe.

• The video's automotive imagery helped establish "I Can't Drive 55" as a lasting car-and-rock anthem, while the song itself remained one of Hagar's signature concert numbers.