It is safe to say that New York State sees a lot of local and international traffic. As you might imagine, the police in our state write a lot of traffic tickets.
Like many, you may be tempted to put away your tickets and forget about them, but that could lead to more trouble than you want to take on. When left unaddressed, here are some possible consequences of unresolved traffic citations.
Expensive fines
The price of anything can increase, including the fines associated with traffic violations. You may expect to face only a modest fine for a speeding ticket, but it can reach as high as $600 in some cases. Unfortunately, when fines pile up, you stand to lose thousands.
Driver’s license points
In addition to paying a fine, you may also face points on your license. The number of points accrued will depend on the severity of the violation. For example, a speeding ticket will typically result in 3 to 11 points, depending on how fast you are alleged to have been driving.
These violations all yield five points:
- Reckless driving, 5
- Texting while driving, 5
- Not stopping for a school bus, 5
- Railroad crossing violation, 5
Too many points on your license can cause a lot of trouble. Accumulating six or more in 18 months means paying a driver responsibility assessment fee. Receiving 11 points within 18 months could lead to license suspension.
Traffic tickets may not seem like a big deal, but ignoring them could jeopardize your finances and driving privileges. Consider fighting the ticket with legal guidance to preserve your driving record and bank account.