I Drive Safely’s Guide to Traffic Tickets, Fines, Penalties, and Violations
Sure, traffic tickets happen from time to time. And, they come in many forms, from speeding tickets, to illegal U-turns, stop sign failures and more. When you do get pulled over and cited, traffic ticket violations can end up costing you a lot of money on top of time spent taking care of traffic school. Fortunately, there are plenty of ways to handle these kinds of violations and the traffic ticket fines and penalties that are associated with them.
Stay Calm Whenever You're Stopped for a Traffic Violation
The best way to deal with a traffic violation is to stay cool and collected from the start. If a police officer pulls you over with the intent of writing you a traffic citation, be courteous and respectful. They'll ask you for 3 things:
- Drivers license
- Registration
- Proof of insurance
Make sure you have these items readily available. And, be kind when you present them to the officer. Your attitude goes a long way when it comes to whether or not you'll be cited. And, having a pleasant demeanor may even lower the amount of your traffic ticket costs in the long run.
Dealing with Traffic Ticket Fines and Penalties
In the event that you're facing fines and penalties from a traffic violation, it's good to know your rights and what you need to do to keep your driving record in good standing. You have a couple options:
- Pay the fine and incur the penalty
- Fight your traffic ticket in court
Keep in mind that fines and penalties vary by state and by county. For example, speeding ticket fines in California are different than the ones you would encounter in Texas, Florida and many other states. And, the penalties associated with driving violations are different, too. There's a traffic ticket point system that keeps track of your violations. Depending on what you are cited for, those points can be high or low. And, the more violations you rack up in a short period of time, the more points are added to your record. The key takeaway here is to drive responsibly and avoid fines and penalties altogether.
Fighting a Ticket
In the event that you're stopped and cited by a police officer, you might be thinking about how to fight a traffic ticket. The good news is that you have options. However, fighting a ticket can be costly and your options are limited based on the state you reside in. You may have to hire a lawyer to help further your cause in front of a judge. But, if you feel that you're innocent and want to have your case considered, fighting your ticket might be your best bet to keep points off your record and avoid paying a fine.
Traffic violations are part of the driving experience. For many drivers, traffic violations are often an afterthought – something they don't plan on doing, but when it happens, the results are costly, the stakes are high, and a lesson is learned.
For more in-depth information about traffic ticket violations, fines and penalties in certain states, visit the following pages:
