speeding ticket

[destrekor]

okay,before the obvious answer of 'Pay Up' is given, know this.. i planned on it.
until I started reading that I might get screwed wtih my insurance rates. im a good driver, have the accident-free and good grades things as well to help on the rates.
i just got my first speeding ticket (76 in 50). Over 20, i was nice and cooperative and that may have helped him just give it as a speeding ticket and not the Wreckless Op citation (4 points on license). I planned on paying the ticket ($133 since its 21mph+ over).
now im reading it could be good to try and contest. but what would I do? I can't afford to have my insurance hiked, nor should it be just because I sped.

anyone have any ideas? should I just pay it? Anyone know how Ohio insurance agents handle it? Specifically State Farm? Do I have to worry about rate increases (im an 18 y/o male)? Is there something I can do in court?
im just worried and don't know what my options really are.

 

[HaxorNubcake]

is traffic school an option? that's what we do in arizona

 

[iamaelephant]

If you didn't want your insurance hiked, you shouldn't have sped. It's no one's fault but your own that you were ignorant of the insurance implications. Now shut up and pay.

 

[bobert]

defensive driving?

 

[platinumike]

I got that same kinda ticket but mine cost $300 or so. Yes your insurance rates will skyrocket especially since you will also loose your safe driver discount as well. Just wait for the lawyer mail, or google something like "traffic ticket lawyer ohio" and call one of thoose suckers and they take care of it for you, no pts on your license is usually a guarantee.

 

[acemcmac]

First thing you have to do is plead not guilty.

 

[Cdubneeddeal]

Does Ohio have a deferred policy? Here in Washington you have an option to go deferred which means you pay $150 and they don't put it on your driving history but you can get a ticket for I believe 3 years.

 

[KrillBee]

only $133?
I had to pay $218 for going 23 over, i was pissed.

Yes, insurrance rates can increase drastically. even with statefarm too i think. if you've had any moving violations in the past 3 years, that can increase premiums a good 20%

I dont know if you can fight it though. I walked into the DA office, and the lady basically ignored me (typed on her computer facing 90 degrees away from me, and didnt even look at me, just told me "not much I can do". she even lied to me and told me i couldnt take driving school cuz that wasnt offered in our state (i found out later that it was though)

and so i could set a court date, but that was it. I'm not sure if taking it to court is worth it, because nowadays officers are showing up, and the judges are just ruthless cuz a lot of people are trying to get away with speeding.

Face it, our country hates speeders now, and you are going to suffer if you speed.

 

[QED]

You had me right up to the point where you said you don't think your insurance should go up just because you sped.

If your insurance shouldn't go up when you are caught violating traffic laws, then when in your world do you suppose it should?

Anyways, I live in Ohio and have State Farm as well, and can tell you the insurance company only finds out once you plead or are found guilty of the traffic violation.

Your best bet is to go to the initial court hearing, where you will make your plea. Plead not guilty. You will then be given a trial date.

At the trial date, show up a little early, and be fully prepared to plead guilty. However, if the officer doesn't show, the charges against you will likely be dropped. Even if the officer does show, he or the prosecutor might be willing to make a deal whereby you plead guilty to some lesser infraction. You pretty much have to take whatever they give you and be thankful for it as if it comes down to your word against the officers you will lose everytime (and for good reason).

With some luck, you'll either get the charges dropped, or it will be reduces to a no-point violation.

 

[KrillBee]

Originally posted by: platinumike
I got that same kinda ticket but mine cost $300 or so. Yes your insurance rates will skyrocket especially since you will also loose your safe driver discount as well. Just wait for the lawyer mail, or google something like "traffic ticket lawyer ohio" and call one of thoose suckers and they take care of it for you, no pts on your license is usually a guarantee.

how the heck do lawyers just 'take care of it' for you? what defense do lawyers give? It seems like the judge usually just believes the officer in court.

 

[jagec]

Mitigate, obviously. Offer to pay, take traffic school, go community service, give the judge a BJ, ANYTHING to keep your insurance company from finding out.

And...26 over? Gimme a break, man...

 

[KrillBee]

Originally posted by: MathMan
You had me right up to the point where you said you don't think your insurance should go up just because you sped.

If your insurance shouldn't go up when you are caught violating traffic laws, then when in your world do you suppose it should?

I believe that insurrance should go up if you are consistently involved in car accidents, particularly ones in which you are at fault.

As for traffic violations, I think it should only go up when one can easily say that your violation was compromising the safety of others in that area. (ex: 50 mph in a residential neighborhood or something)

Basically if you are a bad driver, and a liability to the insurrance company, then I believe you should have to pay more for insurrance, and only then.

 

[alimoalem]

only 133? mine is $221 for 52 in a 35. i would go with traffic school. if you challenge it and the cop doesn't show up, then the charges are dropped. my dad said if you do that nad he does show up, you can plead guilty prior to your trial and you can still do the traffic school option...i'm not sure how true it is though.

definitely go for traffic school though if u can

 

[destrekor]

Originally posted by: KrillBee

Originally posted by: MathMan
You had me right up to the point where you said you don't think your insurance should go up just because you sped.

If your insurance shouldn't go up when you are caught violating traffic laws, then when in your world do you suppose it should?

I believe that insurrance should go up if you are consistently involved in car accidents, particularly ones in which you are at fault.

As for traffic violations, I think it should only go up when one can easily say that your violation was compromising the safety of others in that area. (ex: 50 mph in a residential neighborhood or something)

Basically if you are a bad driver, and a liability to the company, then I believe you should have to pay more for insurrance, and only then.

i am in the same boat that each situation is different. i was the only one on the road, it was at 3am. i was just cruisin, was really attempting to reach any kind of speed, just trying to beat a light that i have timed. the cop clocked me by radar from the opposite side of the road, so he was obviously moving at regular speed in the opposite direction.
just pisses me off that i could get really screwed. thankfully i wont be on insurance for the most part considering my truck will not be drove by me for a year since i cant have it down at ohio state with me in the fall.

and how do I find out about this traffic school, and how long is it typically?

 

[Flash1969]

I usually call up the lawyer and pay him $200 on top of the original fine and he appears for me, pays the fine and no points appear on my record. I use him every time (only 2 or 3 times in say 10 years or more) to keep my insurance down.

 

[QED]

Originally posted by: KrillBee

Originally posted by: MathMan
You had me right up to the point where you said you don't think your insurance should go up just because you sped.

If your insurance shouldn't go up when you are caught violating traffic laws, then when in your world do you suppose it should?

I believe that insurrance should go up if you are consistently involved in car accidents, particularly ones in which you are at fault.

As for traffic violations, I think it should only go up when one can easily say that your violation was compromising the safety of others in that area. (ex: 50 mph in a residential neighborhood or something)

Basically if you are a bad driver, and a liability to the insurrance company, then I believe you should have to pay more for insurrance, and only then.

Thank goodness you aren't responsible for setting insurance rates then...

Obviously there are a lot less accidents than traffic violations every year, so if insurance companies considered ONLY accidents than they would have to set their base rates much higher than they currently do since they would have less opportunity to adjust them for bad drivers.

By considering traffic violations, which correlate very well with liable accidents, they can now charge the bad drivers more BEFORE they cost the insurance company thousands of dollars in claims.

 

[PurdueRy]

Originally posted by: destrekor

Originally posted by: KrillBee

Originally posted by: MathMan
You had me right up to the point where you said you don't think your insurance should go up just because you sped.

If your insurance shouldn't go up when you are caught violating traffic laws, then when in your world do you suppose it should?

I believe that insurrance should go up if you are consistently involved in car accidents, particularly ones in which you are at fault.

As for traffic violations, I think it should only go up when one can easily say that your violation was compromising the safety of others in that area. (ex: 50 mph in a residential neighborhood or something)

Basically if you are a bad driver, and a liability to the company, then I believe you should have to pay more for insurrance, and only then.

i am in the same boat that each situation is different. i was the only one on the road, it was at 3am. i was just cruisin, was really attempting to reach any kind of speed, just trying to beat a light that i have timed. the cop clocked me by radar from the opposite side of the road, so he was obviously moving at regular speed in the opposite direction.
just pisses me off that i could get really screwed. thankfully i wont be on insurance for the most part considering my truck will not be drove by me for a year since i cant have it down at ohio state with me in the fall.

and how do I find out about this traffic school, and how long is it typically?

Give me a break, you knew how fast you were going. You don't just "accidentally" find yourself 23 over the speed limit without some knowledge that you have gone beyond it(especially on a 50 MPH road). Pay up.

 

[KrillBee]

Originally posted by: MathMan

Thank goodness you aren't responsible for setting insurance rates then...

Obviously there are a lot less accidents than traffic violations every year, so if insurance companies considered ONLY accidents than they would have to set their base rates much higher than they currently do since they would have less opportunity to adjust them for bad drivers.

By considering traffic violations, which correlate very well with liable accidents, they can now charge the bad drivers more BEFORE they cost the insurance company thousands of dollars in claims.

I used to speed all the time and not get into any car accidents. I felt that I was a safe driver. Well the state didnt think so, and I got pulled over and received a ticket.

Since then I no longer speed anymore, except for maybe like 5 mph over (and only sometimes)

I guess maybe there are others like me who would speed but instead did get into a lot of accidents. That is unfortunate.
Because the insurance company has to apply their assumption accross the board, and increase the premiums for all people who speed.

Originally posted by: Flash1969
I usually call up the lawyer and pay him $200 on top of the original fine and he appears for me, pays the fine and no points appear on my record. I use him every time (only 2 or 3 times in say 10 years or more) to keep my insurance down.

i should have done this. unfortunately i didnt realize that this stuff actually worked!

 

[destrekor]

Originally posted by: MathMan

Originally posted by: KrillBee

Originally posted by: MathMan
You had me right up to the point where you said you don't think your insurance should go up just because you sped.

If your insurance shouldn't go up when you are caught violating traffic laws, then when in your world do you suppose it should?

I believe that insurrance should go up if you are consistently involved in car accidents, particularly ones in which you are at fault.

As for traffic violations, I think it should only go up when one can easily say that your violation was compromising the safety of others in that area. (ex: 50 mph in a residential neighborhood or something)

Basically if you are a bad driver, and a liability to the insurrance company, then I believe you should have to pay more for insurrance, and only then.

Thank goodness you aren't responsible for setting insurance rates then...

Obviously there are a lot less accidents than traffic violations every year, so if insurance companies considered ONLY accidents than they would have to set their base rates much higher than they currently do since they would have less opportunity to adjust them for bad drivers.

By considering traffic violations, which correlate very well with liable accidents, they can now charge the bad drivers more BEFORE they cost the insurance company thousands of dollars in claims.

that is why each citation and situation should be carefully examined and the amount of risk be assessed per that examination. all citations do not come with the same factory-default situation and each driver is different.

now, maybe im being a dumbass here, but is everything for your insurance only through your insurance agent? Or does the company itself, and not your agent, dig up your records and get that info? Does your agent get notification of a citation? Is it in your best interest, if you have a relationship with your agent (as in very well liked and can talk more personally with eachother than the typical agent), to talk directly with your agent to find out your options?

 

[montanafan]

I've had several speeding tickets over the years. One I had dismissed in magistrate court when the officer agreed with me that there was a problem with two different speed limits posted for the same stretch of road. Some in small town speed traps didn't show up on my license because right after the officer gave me the ticket I went to the town hall pulled out the cash and said, "If I just pay this right now it won't show up on my license will it?" But others I couldn't get rid of and at one point I got a letter saying that I'd lose my license with one more. I went to traffic school and after the points were dropped from my driving record I had to switch insurance companies to get the safe driver discount because even though the points were dropped from my driving record, once they were on my previous insurance company's records they would not drop them for a specific number of years.

So the easiest thing to do might be to pay the ticket. Then go to traffic school to get the points removed from your driving record. Once they are, then switch insurance companies to one where you'll have a clean record.

Oh, and slow down like I've learned to.

 

[destrekor]

Originally posted by: PurdueRy

Originally posted by: destrekor

Originally posted by: KrillBee

Originally posted by: MathMan
You had me right up to the point where you said you don't think your insurance should go up just because you sped.

If your insurance shouldn't go up when you are caught violating traffic laws, then when in your world do you suppose it should?

I believe that insurrance should go up if you are consistently involved in car accidents, particularly ones in which you are at fault.

As for traffic violations, I think it should only go up when one can easily say that your violation was compromising the safety of others in that area. (ex: 50 mph in a residential neighborhood or something)

Basically if you are a bad driver, and a liability to the company, then I believe you should have to pay more for insurrance, and only then.

i am in the same boat that each situation is different. i was the only one on the road, it was at 3am. i was just cruisin, was really attempting to reach any kind of speed, just trying to beat a light that i have timed. the cop clocked me by radar from the opposite side of the road, so he was obviously moving at regular speed in the opposite direction.
just pisses me off that i could get really screwed. thankfully i wont be on insurance for the most part considering my truck will not be drove by me for a year since i cant have it down at ohio state with me in the fall.

and how do I find out about this traffic school, and how long is it typically?

Give me a break, you knew how fast you were going. You don't just "accidentally" find yourself 23 over the speed limit without some knowledge that you have gone beyond it(especially on a 50 MPH road). Pay up.

i knew i was over 50, and under 80. where inbetween, i don't know. i eye the road, not my speedometer (lol idiot fix) in the situation where i am alone on the road.
i'll pay up, but feel that speeding in certain circumstances has never jeopordized my safe driving habits and I shouldn't be punished beyond the citation fine. I haven't put my insurance company at any higher risk because this one time.

 

[PurdueRy]

Originally posted by: destrekor

Originally posted by: PurdueRy

Originally posted by: destrekor

Originally posted by: KrillBee

Originally posted by: MathMan
You had me right up to the point where you said you don't think your insurance should go up just because you sped.

If your insurance shouldn't go up when you are caught violating traffic laws, then when in your world do you suppose it should?

I believe that insurrance should go up if you are consistently involved in car accidents, particularly ones in which you are at fault.

As for traffic violations, I think it should only go up when one can easily say that your violation was compromising the safety of others in that area. (ex: 50 mph in a residential neighborhood or something)

Basically if you are a bad driver, and a liability to the company, then I believe you should have to pay more for insurrance, and only then.

i am in the same boat that each situation is different. i was the only one on the road, it was at 3am. i was just cruisin, was really attempting to reach any kind of speed, just trying to beat a light that i have timed. the cop clocked me by radar from the opposite side of the road, so he was obviously moving at regular speed in the opposite direction.
just pisses me off that i could get really screwed. thankfully i wont be on insurance for the most part considering my truck will not be drove by me for a year since i cant have it down at ohio state with me in the fall.

and how do I find out about this traffic school, and how long is it typically?

Give me a break, you knew how fast you were going. You don't just "accidentally" find yourself 23 over the speed limit without some knowledge that you have gone beyond it(especially on a 50 MPH road). Pay up.

i knew i was over 50, and under 80. where inbetween, i don't know. i eye the road, not my odometer in the situation where i am alone on the road.
i'll pay up, but feel that speeding in certain circumstances has never jeopordized my safe driving habits and I shouldn't be punished beyond the citation fine. I haven't put my insurance company at any higher risk because this one time.

I wouldn't recommend looking at your odometer for the speed you are traveling at

You may say its not made you an unsafe driver. But all it takes is one mistake, then that extra speed can make the difference between being able to stop and not being able to. Especially with the limited distance you would have been able to see at 3AM

 

[QED]

Originally posted by: destrekor

Originally posted by: MathMan

Originally posted by: KrillBee

Originally posted by: MathMan
You had me right up to the point where you said you don't think your insurance should go up just because you sped.

If your insurance shouldn't go up when you are caught violating traffic laws, then when in your world do you suppose it should?

I believe that insurrance should go up if you are consistently involved in car accidents, particularly ones in which you are at fault.

As for traffic violations, I think it should only go up when one can easily say that your violation was compromising the safety of others in that area. (ex: 50 mph in a residential neighborhood or something)

Basically if you are a bad driver, and a liability to the insurrance company, then I believe you should have to pay more for insurrance, and only then.

Thank goodness you aren't responsible for setting insurance rates then...

Obviously there are a lot less accidents than traffic violations every year, so if insurance companies considered ONLY accidents than they would have to set their base rates much higher than they currently do since they would have less opportunity to adjust them for bad drivers.

By considering traffic violations, which correlate very well with liable accidents, they can now charge the bad drivers more BEFORE they cost the insurance company thousands of dollars in claims.

that is why each citation and situation should be carefully examined and the amount of risk be assessed per that examination. all citations do not come with the same factory-default situation and each driver is different.

now, maybe im being a dumbass here, but is everything for your insurance only through your insurance agent? Or does the company itself, and not your agent, dig up your records and get that info? Does your agent get notification of a citation? Is it in your best interest, if you have a relationship with your agent (as in very well liked and can talk more personally with eachother than the typical agent), to talk directly with your agent to find out your options?

The insurance company (not your particular agent) will periodically review your driving record-- in some states, they receive electronic updates automatically. Based upon your new driving record and other factors (such as your age, marital status, sex, credit score, etc.) they assign your a particular risk factor. The higher this risk factor, the higher your insurance.

What this means is that a speeding ticket for an 18-year old single male will probably have a different effect on insurance rates than the same exact speeding ticket for a 45-year old married woman. Unfortunately for you, this effect means your rates will likely go up much more than hers would.

Schmoozing your agent is never a bad idea, as sometimes they might be able to find away to work around the system to get you a lower rate (usually some good neighbor discount, etc)... but there is only so much they can and will do for you.

 

[judasmachine]

Originally posted by: bobert
defensive driving?

yup if it is an option do this.

 

[Yossarian]

Originally posted by: destrekor

Originally posted by: MathMan

Originally posted by: KrillBee

Originally posted by: MathMan
You had me right up to the point where you said you don't think your insurance should go up just because you sped.

If your insurance shouldn't go up when you are caught violating traffic laws, then when in your world do you suppose it should?

I believe that insurrance should go up if you are consistently involved in car accidents, particularly ones in which you are at fault.

As for traffic violations, I think it should only go up when one can easily say that your violation was compromising the safety of others in that area. (ex: 50 mph in a residential neighborhood or something)

Basically if you are a bad driver, and a liability to the insurrance company, then I believe you should have to pay more for insurrance, and only then.

Thank goodness you aren't responsible for setting insurance rates then...

Obviously there are a lot less accidents than traffic violations every year, so if insurance companies considered ONLY accidents than they would have to set their base rates much higher than they currently do since they would have less opportunity to adjust them for bad drivers.

By considering traffic violations, which correlate very well with liable accidents, they can now charge the bad drivers more BEFORE they cost the insurance company thousands of dollars in claims.

that is why each citation and situation should be carefully examined and the amount of risk be assessed per that examination. all citations do not come with the same factory-default situation and each driver is different.

now, maybe im being a dumbass here, but is everything for your insurance only through your insurance agent? Or does the company itself, and not your agent, dig up your records and get that info? Does your agent get notification of a citation? Is it in your best interest, if you have a relationship with your agent (as in very well liked and can talk more personally with eachother than the typical agent), to talk directly with your agent to find out your options?

you are an 18-year old male, that's already a high risk demographic. then when you speed you put yourself at the top of the insurance hit list.