Many people speed without thinking anything of it until they see the flashing lights of a police vehicle behind them. Once they get stopped, some may think that there’s not really a big deal about getting a speeding ticket.
The fact is that one speeding ticket can have a major impact on certain aspects of your future. The consequences increase with higher speeds and repeat offenses. For example, a person who’s facing a third offense of driving at least 50 miles per hour over the speed limit might be charged with a third-degree felony. Here are two other ways a ticket can hurt you:
Points on your driving record
A conviction for a speeding violation means that you’ll have three to four points on your driving record. Eventually, you could be facing a suspension or revocation of your driver’s license. This makes it difficult to live your life normally, and it can be career-ending for a person who must have a valid license to do their job duties.
Increase in insurance premiums
Anyone who’s been convicted of a speeding violation, including those who simply pay the ticket, will be assessed points on their driving record. The violation will also be entered onto their motor vehicle record. It remains there forever, but might only be considered by insurance companies for three years or so. This could mean an increase in premiums by at least 8% to higher than 28%, depending on your age, coverage type and severity of the violation.
People who are trying to determine how to handle a speeding ticket should discuss their situation with someone who’s familiar with these matters. This can give them the information they need to make decisions about the course of their defense strategy.
