Got a speeding ticket

[txrandom]

I don't plan on fighting it. I was going 63 in a 45. I was on a highway that usually runs from 55-70 except for this one town where it slows down to 35. I knew the 35 zone was coming up and begin to slow down, but didn't realize there was a 45 as well. So I got a ticket for 60 in a 45.

The fine is $159.99. Do I have to pay that off no matter what if I don't fight it? Is defensive driving or deferred judification (?) only for removing the ticket from my record?

Also, will this ticket make my insurance go up? I live in Texas.

 

[txrandom]

21 views and no one knows?

 

[xSauronx]

Originally posted by: txrandom
I don't plan on fighting it. I was going 63 in a 45. I was on a highway that usually runs from 55-70 except for this one town where it slows down to 35. I knew the 35 zone was coming up and begin to slow down, but didn't realize there was a 45 as well. So I got a ticket for 60 in a 45.

The fine is $159.99. Do I have to pay that off no matter what if I don't fight it? Is defensive driving or deferred judification (?) only for removing the ticket from my record?

Also, will this ticket make my insurance go up? I live in Texas.

call the office they want the fine sent to and ask someone there what you can do to reduce the fine. sometimes they can start the process for you before you have to pay or appear in court just by sending your ticket to another department.

 

[bobert]

I live in Texas, and I will tell you what I think might be correct. I got a speeding ticket recently and I pleaded no contest in order to take defensive driving. If you do this, you don't have to pay the actual speeding ticket, just the court costs to process the defensive driving junk, which was $101 I believe. If you take defensive driving I think it doesn't count against you on insurance, but I'm not sure if it's on your actual record or not.

 

[txrandom]

Originally posted by: bobert
I live in Texas, and I will tell you what I think might be correct. I got a speeding ticket recently and I pleaded no contest in order to take defensive driving. If you do this, you don't have to pay the actual speeding ticket, just the court costs to process the defensive driving junk, which was $101 I believe. If you take defensive driving I think it doesn't count against you on insurance, but I'm not sure if it's on your actual record or not.

Alright, now I just have to worry about my parents not getting super pissed.

Hopefully they don't get as pissed as when my sister got her 5th (maybe more) speeding ticket.

 

[Gooberlx2]

I tried asking for a reduced fine and points if I took defensive driving...the judge said I was welcome to take the course, but the fine still stood. I think the points were actually taken off by the automatic plea deal (it wasn't that bad a ticket). The only reason I had to show to court at all was because my insurance card was out-of-date at the time of the ticket and I had to prove I was covered.

Usually it'll make insurance go up, but only when they find out about it. And some states don't cooperate with other's insurances...if you're an out-of-state driver (Florida I know is one). This was all in Colorado though.

 

[MrPickins]

In TX:

You have to pay a non-refundable application fee to the court, I think mine was ~$100, and sign a paper saying that you'll take defensive driving within 3 months.

Then, you take the course (I did it online), and turn in your completion certificate, along with a certified copy of your driving record , which you order from DPS.

The final cost will be close to the same as the ticket, but the violation will be wiped from your record, and your insurance may even go down.

 

[mugs]

$159.99 is a strange fine. Why use the .99 pricing? Are they trying to entice people into committing traffic offenses by tricking them into thinking the fine isn't really $160?

 

[txrandom]

Originally posted by: mugs
$159.99 is a strange fine. Why use the .99 pricing? Are they trying to entice people into committing traffic offenses by tricking them into thinking the fine isn't really $160?

Oops, it was 159.00, I think I just pressed 99 instead of 00. .99 would be funny though.

 

[se7en]

I live in NC and this is how it works here.

take the course - still pay close to amount of fine - our course is not online must go in person - ins rates depend on the actual company

PJC - comes off your record - ins wont go up - cant get any tickets for 3 years or your name will be sally mae - and you can only use one of these per "x" amount of time.

Get a lawyer. Ours normally run 150ish and will appear for you, make all payments for you and can get it reduced for you as well. Big loop here is "malfunctioning equipment" basically tell lawyer you had new tires put on, not stock size whcih in turn would throw your speedometer off. That one is good for 5-10mph which may work in your case.

In our state if the ticket is 9mph or under Insurance wont raise your rate if its your first ticket.

 

[conehead433]

Usually the arresting officer will schedule all his court appearances on the same day. Get the date of your court appearance changed to another day. Show up and contest the ticket. If you're lucky the officer won't be there. Case dismissed. Additionally you can request records as to when the radar gun last passed a calibration test. They probably won't want to bother with coming up with the records.

 

[SVT Cobra]

Originally posted by: mugs
$159.99 is a strange fine. Why use the .99 pricing? Are they trying to entice people into committing traffic offenses by tricking them into thinking the fine isn't really $160?

:laugh:

 

[Sukhoi]

Originally posted by: SVT Cobra

Originally posted by: mugs
$159.99 is a strange fine. Why use the .99 pricing? Are they trying to entice people into committing traffic offenses by tricking them into thinking the fine isn't really $160?

:laugh:

Well it's revenue of course! If you don't think it's as expensive you'll be more likely to speed and the jurisdiction will make more money.

 

[Whisper]

I know that in Georgia, often times showing up to court--even without attempting to fight the ticket--would result in a reduced fine. As for your insurance, it will most likely go up if they find out about it.

And as far as I know, defensive driving can--as you've said--reduce the points and/or remove the citation from your record, but likely won't get rid of the fine. Again, unless you show up to court (preferably with a defensive driving certificate already in-hand).

 

[LS20]

1. if you plead no contest, you pay the fine
2. if you plead guilty, you pay the fine
3. if you select deferred option with #1 or #2, if you do not get a ticket in the next month, does not go on your record; OTHERWISE it will
4. if you select defensive driving, you pay a reduced fine, you pay a fee for defensive drivin class, compete the class, does not go on record

 

[pcnerd37]

I am in a similar situation. I got a ticket for going 74 in a 50(or so the cop says). Me made a couple of mistakes in filling out the ticket. He wrote down the wrong color of my car and the wrong location(He was off by about 6 miles). If i was pulled over where he said I was, the speed limit there is actually 55 instead of 50. My court date is the 22nd but I have to get it delayed since im out of state at college. Anybody have some advice? Do you think I can get it kicked with those errors on the ticket, or should I try for a plea deal?

Edit: The ticket is in Colorado, which really limits some of my options from what im reading.