What are the real speeding ticket costs? There is nothing worse than seeing the flashing lights of a police car in the rear view mirror. At that instant, you can be sure that your wallet will take a moderate hit due to the high costs associated with speeding tickets. Moreover, you will later notice the other negative impacts of the speeding ticket, which will make you regret your driving. In the remainder of the article, we will discuss the speeding ticketcost and ways in which you can reduce the fine.
Speeding tickets are viewed by many as a massive expense for, at times, a little mistake. The initial fine of the speeding ticket is just the beginning of the story. You will also have to cover the court costs and, if you wish to battle it, the attorney's wage. What is a widespread misconception is that it stops there. On the contrary, after you have covered the aforementioned fees, you will be given a higher insurance premium- in some cases as high as 35 per cent- which you will have to pay for the next three years.
The average speeding ticket cost in the United States depends on the region and the severity of the offence. For example, in some states going above the speeding limit with 15 miles per hour will bring you a 240 dollars fine. At the same time, going 30 miles per hour above the limit will win you the hefty fine of 350-450 dollars.
As we saw above, the costs can be quite substantial at times, however, there are things you can do to decrease the fine. Especially for those who are ready to do a bit of research, there are a lot of options available. For example, you can start examining all the relevant information about the ticket. You should read through all the records- all the documentation and notes that were provided by the officer. Also, you should check the radar gun's calibration certificate and all other such information that might give you sufficient grounds for a ticket dismissal.
On the other hand, you might end up with no way to dismiss the ticket with the above technique. In that case, you can try to reduce the fine or seek out a deal with the District Attorney. One way that is preferred by many is to opt for a defensive driving school. By doing so, your insurance premium will not increase and there will be no long term mark on your driving record. Another preferred option is to ask for a plea. Almost all courts, New York City's court not being one of those, offer some degree of flexibility. This means that you can decrease the substantial 400 dollar ticket to a bearable 100 dollar one.
As we have seen, speeding tickets bring negative short- and long-term effects. The best way to deal with a speeding ticket is not to have one in the first place. Even if you drive safely and under the speed limit, it is a good idea to fit your car with an approved radar detector which might have a pricetag of 150 dollars but will pay itself if you plan on driving faster.