How are Speeding Tickets Fees Determined in Different States?

Every state has different laws regarding speeding ticket fees, but in all states, the fees are just the beginning, no matter how small or large they are. Insurance rates, court costs, inconvenience, lost work time, and more can all add up to a costly experience which was often created to save a few seconds of time or provide a quick rush.

Speeding Ticket Fines

The first and most obvious cost of most speeding tickets is the fine associated with that ticket. Those fines vary by state, but in general, they can range from $20 to $1000 for the first speeding violation. For repeat offenders, those fines can be much higher. In addition, most of those who receive even one speeding ticket may face an increase in insurance rates. Often that increase will not appear until two or more tickets, but there is no guarantee that will be the case. Insurance rate increases can range from $400 per year upward, and those increases are usually assigned to a policyholder for three to five years.

For those who merely pay their fine and move on, there are no court costs. However, anyone who chooses to fight their ticket incurs court costs as well, which may start small but increase quickly. Those who wish to avoid points or convictions on their record may be able to attend traffic school. While this may prevent insurance rate increases, there are costs to attending driving school, even if they may choose an online school in their state. Those costs include fees for the class, as well as time away from work or family.

Types of Speeding Laws

In addition to different speeding fines, each state has one of two different types of speeding laws:

• Absolute speed limits – whereby drivers are expected to drive the posted speed limit no matter what the conditions

• Presumed, or prima facie, speed limits – whereby the drivers are allowed to drive at a reasonable and safe speed for the driving conditions

Drivers should know the speeding laws in their states and be sure to follow them to avoid a speeding ticket and the fines that accompany them in the first place.

Getting Legal Help with Speeding Ticket Fees

Because there is such a wide range of fees for speeding tickets across the country, and because there are so many additional costs resulting from speeding tickets, it can be vital to fight speeding tickets whenever possible. However, it takes time and incurs additional costs to do so. Such a fight may only be worthwhile when the driver has the help of an experienced traffic lawyer to ensure that their costs and efforts are not wasted, but used as efficiently as possible to save their driving record and the additional costs of a conviction.