Consequence of Traffic Violation: Speeding

You see those dreaded flashing lights in your rearview mirror and you know immediately that you’ve blown it. You were speeding, and you’ve been caught... but what are the true costs of a traffic violation speeding? Is it as simple as paying a fee in court and being done with it? Nothing could be further from the truth!

Fees

In addition to the court fees you may pay for your speeding ticket, several U.S. states impose surcharges each year for three years after your violation, even if you are not a resident of that state. Some of these states, including New York, New Jersey, and Texas, impose these little known, but exorbitant fees for speeding tickets.

What’s more, your car insurance company will also impose surcharges when you receive a speeding ticket. While these surcharges may not be significant with the first infraction, second and third tickets will cost you dearly.

Difficulty Getting Car Insurance

If you have several speeding tickets on your record, it may be difficult to get car insurance that you can actually afford. Keep that in mind as you speed, and when you get your first speeding violation. More of these tickets can cost you much more than you can afford to pay over time.

Effect Your Career

Experienced truck drivers with their Commercial Drivers’ Licenses (CDL) will have difficulty getting and keeping driving jobs, or getting affordable insurance if they have various speeding tickets. If you are eligible for company vehicles, you may also experience difficulty using those cars and getting insurance coverage if you are prone to speeding violations.

How to Avoid Speeding Consequences

Since 9/11 there are more patrols out on many roads, and with difficult economic times, more and more states and municipalities are depending on traffic tickets to make their ends meet. So don’t be caught unaware! Here are a few ways you can avoid the high-price of speeding tickets.

Obviously, do not speed in the first place. Obey all posted speed limits and drive carefully.
If you get a ticket, don’t assume that simply paying the fees in court will make the problem go away. Remember all those “hidden” state and insurance surcharges, even on out-of-state violations. Do your homework! Ask about deferment options or even traffic school, which may make the ticket’s lasting effects disappear.
You may want to consider shopping for new car insurance as soon as you are issued a speeding violation, to avoid surcharges for future violations.

Getting Help

An experienced traffic attorney can also assist in you dealing with your speeding ticket. Your attorney may be able to help you plead down to a lesser traffic offense to avoid points on your license or more severe consequences of a speeding violation.

Got a Traffic Ticket?