Insurance rates are rising at an alarming rate in this country. And they do that well enough on their own without your getting speeding tickets to help them. And make no mistake, at renewal time, your insurer will check your record and adjust your rates according to what he finds. And that's not all. Heavy fines, jail time, and a prior record that make additional tickets more costly all give you a good reason for contesting speeding tickets. If you were speeding, there can be extenuating circumstances that will help in your defense. But first, follow all the directions on the ticket and meet all the deadlines listed. In some states, you can begin the process by mail. In others, you must schedule a court date by phone or in person. When the court date arrives, be sure you have clear and effective evidence. If the judge is not willing to dismiss your ticket, you may have to settle for a plea bargain for a lesser charge and penalty.