speeding ticket

[Stuxnet]

Originally posted by: 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.

Yes, your rates will go up. What should you do? Pay them. Why? Because it WAS reckless op!

Just because your financial impact is more severe than originally thought doesn't make you any less guilty or (ir)responsible.

I'm not trying to sound high and mighty: I've had 3 or 4 speeding tickets, one of which was within 1 mph of reckless op... but if you're guilty, pay. Just because you can get out of it doesn't mean you should.

 

[yhelothar]

www.ticketassassin.com
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Don't listen to these morons telling you to take it up the cornhole. You're not endagering anyone by doing those speeds on an empty road, unless you were weaving in and out of traffic in the rain at that speed, but you'd definitely would've gotten a misdemeanor for that.

 

[Stuxnet]

Originally posted by: virtualgames0
www.ticketassassin.com
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Don't listen to these morons telling you to take it up the cornhole. You're not endagering anyone by doing those speeds on an empty road, unless you were weaving in and out of traffic in the rain at that speed, but you'd definitely would've gotten a misdemeanor for that.

I think the speed limits in this country are a damn crock of sh*t, and I totally agree with your assessment that speed in and of itself isn't the actual danger (in most cases). It's the speed differential in traffic presented by extreme speeders and extreme grandmas that cause the most problems.

BUT, disagreeing with the law is not an excuse for not following it. I speed, and I accept the consequences when I get caught. Not only that, but 25MPH over the limit is pretty bad. I know I'm setting an arbitrary standard, but most 50MPH zones that I can think of would not allow safe travel at 75MPH.

Regardless... I'll say it again: not agreeing with the law is not an excuse.

 

[jimmyjam]

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?

If insurance companies had to pay someone to carefully examine and assess every single citation your rates would be 10 times higher than they are now.

I work for an agent in California and the way the process works here is like this:
Once a year the underwriters electronically send a request to the Department of Motor Vehicles. Based on what is reported back your rates go up on your next renewal date. You will get a letter explaining how the information was obtained and a 800 number and an address to get more information. Your agent will get a notice that your rates are going up due to a citation which they will promptly ignore because they get dozens of these every week and they won't think twice about it until you call to complain that your rates are too high. Then they will pull up your policy and tell you that you drive too fast and the only way to bring your rates down is to lower your coverages or raise your deductible.

Your best bet now is to take traffic school. It will make the citation magically disappear like it never happened and the information will never reach your insurance company and your rates will stay the same.

 

[xSauronx]

Originally posted by: acemcmac
First thing you have to do is plead not guilty.

heh

here in nc, you plead guilty to a speeding ticket, or rather, show up at the courthouse, the DA takes everyone who was speeding and wants to plead guilty into a line, then they ask if its ok to reduce it and you can just pay court costs. voila, no points, $100 fine, no insurance hike, nothing. stay clean for a year or something and youll never hear about it again.

or you can request a "prayer for judgement". you stay clean for a year, and that ticket doesnt go on your record, and you get no points or insurance hike. you get another ticket before the year is up, and you pay fines/rate hikes on both of them.

the only one i had they went through like an assembly line: 80% or so of the people there for traffic court were out of the place by 9:30am

 

[waggy]

hmm 20 over the speed limit? hahaha yeah your rates are going ot go up and damn well they should.


5-10 over? sure hell i do it all the time. but heck 20 over? in a 50! bah hope you get nailed.

 

[SampSon]

Originally posted by: virtualgames0
www.ticketassassin.com
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Don't listen to these morons telling you to take it up the cornhole. You're not endagering anyone by doing those speeds on an empty road, unless you were weaving in and out of traffic in the rain at that speed, but you'd definitely would've gotten a misdemeanor for that.

He lives in Ohio, not California.

The "morons" in this thread are right, kids with the kind of attitude the OP has should be rheamed as hard as possible. It would have been best if his parents had to come and post bail for his stupid ass.

 

[mrchan]

Go to court, plead no contest, hope for a reduction in fine and attend traffic school.

 

[MrWizzard]

quote:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Originally posted by: VanTheMan
I don't know if it works or not, but somebody once told me you can just overpay your fine by a buck or two and the municipality has to send you a refund check. Since the violation isn't completely processed until all transactions are complete, just don't ever cash your two dollar check.

Personally, I think insurance is a bunch of BS anyway. You can pay a company thousands of dollars over X years for doing absolutely nothing, then you get in a small accident one time and not only do they try their best not to pay out, but they also jack your premium sky high.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


OVERKILL
This is so damn true

Ah yes Ignorance is bliss.

Simply put Insurance is they way it is because of the way the general public is.

 

[waggy]

I have to agree with the insurance part. hate paying into it every month and not getting anything out of it. Heck when my wife totaled my car (03 Taurus) they tried there best to lowball me. the even threatened to not pay anything on it (even though i had full coverage and no problems for 15 years) if i did not take the offer they were giving.

finally i got in between what they were offering $5k and what i wanted $12k (heh i know high). i still owed some money on the car.

but they did not raise her rates. though they did drop her 12yr (i think could be 9) accident free reduction.

 

[yhelothar]

Originally posted by: jbourne77

Originally posted by: virtualgames0
www.ticketassassin.com
Everything you need to know..
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Here are some sample forms.
Don't listen to these morons telling you to take it up the cornhole. You're not endagering anyone by doing those speeds on an empty road, unless you were weaving in and out of traffic in the rain at that speed, but you'd definitely would've gotten a misdemeanor for that.

I think the speed limits in this country are a damn crock of sh*t, and I totally agree with your assessment that speed in and of itself isn't the actual danger (in most cases). It's the speed differential in traffic presented by extreme speeders and extreme grandmas that cause the most problems.

BUT, disagreeing with the law is not an excuse for not following it. I speed, and I accept the consequences when I get caught. Not only that, but 25MPH over the limit is pretty bad. I know I'm setting an arbitrary standard, but most 50MPH zones that I can think of would not allow safe travel at 75MPH.

Regardless... I'll say it again: not agreeing with the law is not an excuse.

The law isn't black and white. It's not meant to be taken arbitrarily like many dumb cops tend to take it. It's a general guideline as there are exceptions to everything.
That's why there is the judicial system, to determine whether or not the alleged acts is indeed harmful to society. Therefore, if your actions are not harmful, you should take advantage of the judicial system to defend yourself.

 

[kranky]

Originally posted by: waggy
I have to agree with the insurance part. hate paying into it every month and not getting anything out of it. Heck when my wife totaled my car (03 Taurus) they tried there best to lowball me. the even threatened to not pay anything on it (even though i had full coverage and no problems for 15 years) if i did not take the offer they were giving.

finally i got in between what they were offering $5k and what i wanted $12k (heh i know high). i still owed some money on the car.

but they did not raise her rates. though they did drop her 12yr (i think could be 9) accident free reduction.

We have Erie Insurance and after having a policy for 15 years, they do not raise your rates for any claims. They can still drop you, but they won't surcharge you for an accident.

 

[DrPizza]

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.

paraphrased:
"Although I'm only 18, and I'm in the demographic responsible for the most accidents, I still have that sense of invulnerability that's common to younger people. It can't happen to me. Forget all those engineers who claim that 55 is a safe speed on the road. I've got the reflexes of a cat. I should be able to do 100 on that road. Besides, I trained with Mario Andretti. He taught me everything there is to know about safely speeding. "

Face it... you're not driving safely if you're going 26 mph over the speed limit. Perhaps you have this feeling that driving unsafely means you can't keep the car between the lines at the given speed. "Oh look, I can stay between the white and yellow line while going 100. Since I'm between the lines, this speed is safe." 26 mph over the speed limit is NOT safe. Period. And, most experienced drivers could drive in their car with a broken speedometer and always know within 4 or 5 mph how fast they're going. If you can't narrow it down better than "between 50 and 80", then you are quite an inexperienced driver... aka dangerous driver.

I hope that when you finally learn your lesson that no one is hurt.

 

[FallenHero]

Originally posted by: DrPizza

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.

paraphrased:
"Although I'm only 18, and I'm in the demographic responsible for the most accidents, I still have that sense of invulnerability that's common to younger people. It can't happen to me. Forget all those engineers who claim that 55 is a safe speed on the road. I've got the reflexes of a cat. I should be able to do 100 on that road. Besides, I trained with Mario Andretti. He taught me everything there is to know about safely speeding. "

Face it... you're not driving safely if you're going 26 mph over the speed limit. Perhaps you have this feeling that driving unsafely means you can't keep the car between the lines at the given speed. "Oh look, I can stay between the white and yellow line while going 100. Since I'm between the lines, this speed is safe." 26 mph over the speed limit is NOT safe. Period. And, most experienced drivers could drive in their car with a broken speedometer and always know within 4 or 5 mph how fast they're going. If you can't narrow it down better than "between 50 and 80", then you are quite an inexperienced driver... aka dangerous driver.

I hope that when you finally learn your lesson that no one is hurt.

Probability says he will hurt another person to learn his lesson.

 

[QED]

Originally posted by: PurdueRy

Originally posted by: MathMan

Originally posted by: OVERKILL

Originally posted by: VanTheMan
I don't know if it works or not, but somebody once told me you can just overpay your fine by a buck or two and the municipality has to send you a refund check. Since the violation isn't completely processed until all transactions are complete, just don't ever cash your two dollar check.

Personally, I think insurance is a bunch of BS anyway. You can pay a company thousands of dollars over X years for doing absolutely nothing, then you get in a small accident one time and not only do they try their best not to pay out, but they also jack your premium sky high.

This is so damn true

You don't have to buy insurance.

If you are so confident of your driving skills and infallibility behind the wheel, then come up with the money ($10k - $30k) for a surety bond, and drive without insurance all you want to your heart's content. Just don't come back and complain when all of the money is taken from you after your first at-fault accident.

Um, in most states you need insurance.

In most states you either need insurance, or you can purchase what is known as a surety bond. It is essentially a form of self-insurance where the state holds on to your money. In case of an accident, any claims are paid out using the proceeds from the bond.

If you are ever in an at-fault accident with a surety body, you will surety cry as you watch your money magically disappear....

 

[DrPizza]

Originally posted by: FallenHero

Originally posted by: DrPizza

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.

paraphrased:
"Although I'm only 18, and I'm in the demographic responsible for the most accidents, I still have that sense of invulnerability that's common to younger people. It can't happen to me. Forget all those engineers who claim that 55 is a safe speed on the road. I've got the reflexes of a cat. I should be able to do 100 on that road. Besides, I trained with Mario Andretti. He taught me everything there is to know about safely speeding. "

Face it... you're not driving safely if you're going 26 mph over the speed limit. Perhaps you have this feeling that driving unsafely means you can't keep the car between the lines at the given speed. "Oh look, I can stay between the white and yellow line while going 100. Since I'm between the lines, this speed is safe." 26 mph over the speed limit is NOT safe. Period. And, most experienced drivers could drive in their car with a broken speedometer and always know within 4 or 5 mph how fast they're going. If you can't narrow it down better than "between 50 and 80", then you are quite an inexperienced driver... aka dangerous driver.

I hope that when you finally learn your lesson that no one is hurt.

Probability says he will hurt another person to learn his lesson.

Hence his insurance company is at a much higher risk.

 

[TallBill]

Originally posted by: virtualgames0

The law isn't black and white. It's not meant to be taken arbitrarily like many dumb cops tend to take it. It's a general guideline as there are exceptions to everything.
That's why there is the judicial system, to determine whether or not the alleged acts is indeed harmful to society. Therefore, if your actions are not harmful, you should take advantage of the judicial system to defend yourself.

Actually, there is a black and white standard and legal precedent called the 85th percentile. Basically you take a sample poll of a section of road and tally up the speed of everyone that passes, and knock off the top 15% of speeds, which gives an accurate measurement of safe travel on a road, since most people naturally drive at a safe speed on any given road. Then you add in a bit of police discretion (which is completely legal) to determine how much over that limit is unacceptable and ticketable.

So maybe that stretch of road that is marked 50 mph is really safe up to 60 mph. The op still completely blew that out of the water. Long term studies are actually kept on roadways, which leads to speed limit increases or decreases over time. 85th percentile does hold up in court, and seeing as that the OP was 26 over, I dont think any judge in America would say that he was driving safe.