Obeying traffic laws to avoid speeding tickets is a good idea because you will spare yourself costly fines or a damaged driving record. However, sometimes it's impossible to avoid a speeding violation. Many people have been ticketed for speeding, but if you have never been stopped, there's some important information that you need to know.
When stopped, find a safe location to pull off of the road or highway and wait for the officer to approach your vehicle. Depending on offense, the officer will issue you warning or a ticket. Regardless of what others may tell you, there is a difference between a city or town police officer and state police officer. You may choose to fight a ticket if you believe that you were treated unfairly or believe that you can have your fine reduced. Finally, it's very important that you your fine on time.
Accidents have occurred as a result of a vehicle pulling off to the side of the roadway. Many times, drivers do not realize that their car is not completely off the road and another car will accidentally run into the back or side of the stationary car. Police officers will try to help keep the stationary car safe by pulling closely behind it. Highways typically have wider areas for cars to safely pull over.
Depending on whether or not this is your first offense, an officer may issue you a verbal or written warning. A verbal warning contains no record of being stopped. A written warning is a legal warning that is recorded by the city or state where it was issued and the next time you are pulled over, the police officer will mostly likely issue you a ticket.
There is a difference between a city or town police officer and a state police officer. The fines issued by a local police department are different from the state fines. State police typically monitor highway systems and areas outside of town and city limits. Local police patrol within their town or city limits and cannot cross over into other jurisdictions unless they begin the pursuit within their town.
Speeding fines can be very costly to the driver. When stopped, you are also issued points that show up on your driving record. When too many points are accumulated, a driver can have their license suspended. This usually occurs when driver accumulates six points or more. Sometimes you can avoid having your license suspended by going to driving school or taking a driver's safety exam. If you successfully complete the exam or school, you will have some points removed. Points disappear from your record over a period of time without any violations.
Because getting a ticket can hurt your driving record and ultimately increase your insurance premiums, there are ways to fight a ticket. Some states will be lenient on first-time offenders. If you are ticketed, you can go to court to fight the ticket. Some courts will reduce your fine or points just for showing up to court and if the charging police officer fails to appear, your ticket is thrown out. So, it never hurts to fight the ticket.
If you do end up with a fine, make sure that you pay the fine on time. If you cannot afford the ticket, you can set up a payment plan and make payments over time until the fine is paid in full. If you do not pay your fine, you can be arrested. So, make sure that you check the date on your ticket. Although getting speeding tickets can be stressful or unpleasant, knowing what to expect when it happens will help you be more prepared.
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