Speeding Tickets

The reasons behind hating speeding tickets here at RatedRadarDetector are obvious, but if you need them to be laid out for you, then stay with us.

Of all the traffic tickets issued in the United States, speeding tickets are perhaps the most common. Every state has its own limitations regarding this, but what they often share is the exorbitant fees that are rarely below $100 and can easily go for thousands. The laws are there for our protection, of course. But it is not hard to feel that the penalties are unjust, and that the powers that be are only trying to fill a quota. You will also have to pay any court fees that follow.

It never feels good to be pulled over. There might be shame and regret there, your mileage may vary. But beyond your feelings and your fines, a speeding ticket can also taint your driving record and leave you with a suspended license. Insurance companies do not take kindly to speeding tickets as well, and will eventually cost you more dollars beyond your initial penalties.

With many things at stake, it is only natural to want to protect yourself as much as you can. Consider being here your first step: we will take you through the necessary information that can serve as background as you argue your way out of the offense with a police officer.

As with other kinds of tickets, different laws govern speeding tickets depending on where you are. The information you will need is commonly available online, but you might need more help understanding the nuances as a layman.

Speed restrictions are generally categorized into three. These are absolute, presumed and basic. It might not be easy to know which one applies to yours by doing a quick read of the laws. There can be certain words that provide more context such as “maximum” and “lawful”, as well as the absence of a particular number.

Absolute speed limits are the easiest to explain and also the most common. It is straightforward; if you go past the maximum speed limit, you already are in violation of the law. Even if the difference between your speed and the state limit is just one mph, you are still failing to comply with the rules.

The second, presumed, is more nuanced. Although there are speed limitations, you can go over that depending on the traffic conditions and other circumstances. If the roads are not busy, the weather is clear, and you do not pose any harm towards other motorists and properties, then you can get a pass if you happen to be charged with a ticket. It may take some arguing for your case, though.

Basic speed laws are trickier, and more frustrating. Even if you are well within the allowable speed, the police can still issue you a ticket if they deem that you are driving faster than you should be. These are often given out in case of less than ideal driving conditions caused by weather or in the aftermath of accidents, which are both not good circumstances to be in.

Getting a ticket is not ideal, but it also is not the end of the world. There are things you can do to make things better for you and your pocket, beginning with this: be careful with you words as well as non-verbal cues. These can easily be taken against you.

Make it a must to note all the circumstances when you are pulled over by a police officer, including time and date. Any missing speed limit signs can also be to your benefit, so do your best to cover your surroundings. Check if you can provide visual evidence through your phone or a dashcam. If you should ask the trooper about your ticket, do it calmly. Know which police radar and laser guns are in operation in your state, alternatively, you can use a good radar detector for that.

Do not plead guilty immediately. You can choose to seek a lawyer if you think one will help guide you through what you should and should not do to help your case, even if it is added cost. Do you think you can argue that the ticket is a case of a vehicle mistaken for a similar-looking one? An attorney can also help you interpret state motor laws to your benefit.

There are more to these, of course. But fighting against an unfair charge can help mitigate the bad effects. Want to maintain your driving record, have lesser penalties, or delay paying your fine? Read on — we are building this page to have whatever you may need.