If a New York traffic cop issues you with a speeding ticket, you will see an amount to pay. If you have the money, you may decide that it is less bother to pay the fine than contest it. However, this could be a significant error for several reasons.
Speeding tickets have significant consequences
Depending on how fast above the speed limit the police allege you were traveling and where it took place, the fine will vary from $45 to $180.
If you have already been convicted of another speeding offense within the previous year and a half, the fine will increase to between $150 and $600. On top of that, you will need to pay a Driver Responsibility Assessment of $100 for the next three years.
A monetary fine is only one part of how a speeding ticket penalizes you. Here are some others:
- License points: A speeding offense can incur between 3 to 11 points. The cost of insurance cover will rise due to points you incur.
- A ban or loss of license: Once the points build up, you could be facing time without a license.
- Job loss: If your current job requires you to drive, you might lose it if you reach a certain number of license points. Even if you do not drive for work, you severely limit your employment opportunities if you use your vehicle to get to work.
Remember that paying a speed ticket is effectively an admission of guilt. If you want to avoid all the other potential consequences that a speeding ticket can bring, it is best to seek legal advice to see if you have a way to contest the charge.