Four Ways Speeding Tickets Affect Drivers


A lot of variables come into play when you are driving. As you cruise down the road, you need to watch out for other drivers, pedestrians, the occasional biker, and people crossing the road. Keeping track of things outside the car can make you forget to check the speedometer located right on your dashboard. As a result, the car can rapidly gain speed, causing you to exceed the speed limit.

Speeding accounts for a massive 26 percent of all road accident fatalities in the United States. It is only through joint efforts from each driver that the high number of speeding accidents can be reduced.

A speeding ticket causes a blemish on your driving record. As a result, insurance companies see you as a risky driver and will hike your premium amounts.

Reasons Why Drivers Speed

Speeding is a bad driving habit. Drivers sometimes go over the speed limit because they are late for an appointment, rushing to close a business deal, or eager to get home before everyone else. Traffic build ups also cause impatient drivers to change lanes abruptly while trying to get ahead of others.

Clear roads can make drivers excited, causing them to step on the gas pedal hard. The lockdown and restriction of movement measures in 2020 resulted in fewer drivers on the roads. Consequently, those few drivers still on the road took the opportunity to rev up their car engines and drive at high speeds.

According to the Elsevier Public Health Report on road safety, speed-related car crashes in the USA among youth drivers increased during the lockdown.

Consequences for Speeding Drivers

1. Fines

Speeding falls under the category of moving traffic violations which are the traffic laws broken when the vehicle is in motion. When you are flagged for a moving violation, you are liable to pay a fine.

You have the right to contest fines in court with the help of a speeding ticket lawyer. This occurs when you feel that the accusations against you are unjustified.

2. Hiked Insurance Rates

When a traffic officer writes you a speeding ticket, the violation appears on your driving record. Repeat traffic offenses can result in being flagged as a risky driver who is likely to cause an accident.

Insurance companies rely on these driving records when calculating premiums. If you are a repeat offender, your record can be the reason for hiked premiums.

3. Driving with a Bad Record

Traffic tickets linger on your driving record for one year after paying the fine in Colorado. For other states such as Connecticut, the ticket sticks around for even longer.

Once you get convicted for a ticket, it means that you have to accept the ticket on your record until the specified time period elapses. To avoid conviction, you can contest the ticket in court to potentially have the charge and/or demerit points dismissed or reduced. In order to do so, you need the assistance of a legal expert from an established law firm like TTAS (Learn more about us here) for a strategic approach to the problem. Adopting such a step can help preserve your driving privileges while also minimising the long- term effects of the traffic ticket.

4. Driving License Suspension

Repeated moving violations can cause your driving license to be suspended for six to 12 months. Each time you get ticketed, a point is added to your record. The DMV suspends your license if you accumulate nine points in one year or 12 points in two years.

Note that only moving violations like speeding, failing to stop at a red light, and forgetting to use your turn signal contribute to the points on your driving record. Parking tickets don’t count toward suspending a license.

If you’ve been fined for driving with a suspended license, or have received a ticket for any of the violations mentioned, then seeking legal advice might be essential. You could consider visiting www.otdlegal.ca to connect with an advisor who can assist you.

Cleaning Your Record After Violating Traffic Rules

So, in the event that you apply for a job at a trucking company, or as a vehicle operator for some other company; your driving record probably won’t go unnoticed. Companies that hire drivers for their commercial vehicles often have to ensure that these hires undergo strict screening checks, one of which is the MVR employment check (visit the Checkr website for more detailed info). Ensuring that you have a clean driving record can go a long way in passing this test and being hired.

A clean record at the DMV allows you to enjoy low insurance rates. When your record is stained, clearing the tickets does not end when you pay the fine. You might also be required to take a driving class, which ends in a test to clear your driving record.

To further manage the financial aspects of clearing your record, services like Njmcdirect or similar ones can be beneficial. If you have received traffic violations, you can use these portals to conveniently pay any associated fines online. This step is crucial in the process of cleaning your driving record, as it allows you to address any outstanding tickets promptly. Not to forget, a clear payment history may also be required before you can take any necessary driving classes or request obliteration from your record.

At the end of the day, maintaining a clean driving record is essential for securing employment as a commercial driver and benefiting from lower insurance premiums. By addressing any traffic violations promptly and taking the necessary steps to clear your record, you can enhance your chances of meeting job requirements and enjoying the advantages of responsible driving. This proactive approach can lead to better opportunities and a more secure driving future. Once your record gets cleaned of previous violations, maintaining a good record is as easy as obeying traffic rules.

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