Let’s be honest, we all have busy lives.  Sometimes we let our busy schedule get the best of us which might influence us to make a mistake.  A very common mistake that many Americans make is speeding in their vehicles to get to their destination at the right time.  Speeding in your vehicle can result in those flashing blue lights following your car and before you know it.  You are being pulled over.  

Getting a speeding ticket is never a fun time because if you are convicted of speeding it will not only affect your driving record but also cost you a lot of money in various ways.  Let’s dive in and learn about speeding tickets and teach you some tips and tricks to get out of one.  

How much is a speeding ticket? 

The speeding ticket cost can depend on a lot of different factors but in general, a speeding ticket in the United States will be between $150 and $200.  Depending on the state that you live in, it could be lower or higher.  

Another important factor that goes into the cost of your speeding ticket is if you were caught speeding in a construction zone or school zone.  You could also be charged a higher fee if you were speeding drastically higher than the speed limit.  

Not only do you have to pay the speeding ticket fee, but more than likely your car insurance will go up.  Forcing you to pay potentially hundreds of dollars more per year.  

How long does a speeding ticket stay on my record?

A speeding ticket stays on your record depending on the state that you reside in.  For example, if you get a speeding ticket in Wyoming, it will only stay on your record for 12 months.  However, if you get a speeding ticket in Virginia, it will stay on your record for five years.  

How many points is a speeding ticket?

The same can be said about the points on your driving record.  It all depends on the state in which you reside in.  For example, if are caught speeding 10 miles over in Pennsylvania it is a 2-point violation, but if you are caught speeding 30 miles over it is a 5-point violation.  

However, in Deleware if you are caught speeding 1-9 miles over it is 2-points, 10-14 miles over is 4 points, 15-19 is 5 points.  So the amount of points of a speeding ticket varies drastically depending on the state you live in.  

How to get out of a speeding ticket

Getting out of a speeding ticket is very hard and unlikely, but there are a few things you can do to attempt to get out of one.  

One of the most important things to do when being pulled over is to remain polite with the police officer.  Never argue with the police officer because if you decide to go to court and fight the ticket, the police officer won’t have anything negative to say about the encounter.  

This ties into saying as little as possible.  Remain polite and courteous but do not give the police officer a bunch of information, as anything you say can be used against you in a court of law.  

One of the best things you could do, when you get pulled over for speeding is to ask the officer what was used to determine if you were speeding, and write it down.  Once the officer leaves you with your ticket,  write down everything you can remember about the incident including the location, time of day, and if you notice anything obscure.  

What if I am stuck with the speeding ticket? 

You essentially have two choices, you can either pay the speeding ticket or you can fight the ticket in court.  

Paying the speeding ticket

At first, you might be thinking that paying the speeding ticket will not be that bad.  Unfortunately, the cost of that ticket is higher than it might seem because your car insurance rates will likely rise as well.  

If you do decide to pay for the speeding ticket, luckily due to technology, you can now pay for speeding tickets online without leaving your home in most states.  So if you do pick this option, you should look into paying it off in this format.  

Fighting the ticket in court

If you plan on fighting the speeding ticket in court, realize that it is extremely hard to beat the ticket.  The best-case scenario is that the officer who wrote your ticket won’t show up to the hearing.  If that happens, you will be more than likely off the hook.  

If the officer does show up, it’s important to be prepared to make a case.  You can look online for traffic procedures in the jurisdiction that the ticket was given to you in, and read the speed law carefully to see if you can come up with anything.  

One important thing to consider when going to fight the ticket in court is to gather as much evidence as possible.  If you have any physical proof that you weren’t speeding such as data from a smartphone app or any evidence that a speed limit sign was obscured you might be able to defend your case.  

If you had anyone in the vehicle with you, you can call them in as witnesses, and they can testify that you were not speeding in the vehicle.  

Finally, you can always delay the hearing, so that you have more time to build your case and plan your questions.  

Do I need a speeding ticket lawyer?

If you don’t want to fight the ticket alone, a speeding ticket lawyer could help.  However, it is only advisable to get a speeding ticket lawyer if the ticket is extremely expensive or you could lose your license.  

This is because a speeding ticket lawyer or otherwise known as a traffic lawyer could potentially cost you $200-$400 dollars, so it is only recommended to get a lawyer if your speeding ticket is justifiable for one.  

Driving Tips

When you are behind the wheel of a vehicle, you might make the mistake of going over the speed limit.  Not only could you end up with a speeding ticket, but you are also putting yourself and others at risk of danger. 

 Not only that, but you are also putting your vehicle in danger.  In the event of a vehicular malfunction or breakdown, you would need an extended auto warranty to avoid any more financial headaches. 

Written By: Stephen Lubas