OT: Speeding Ticket, MA cops
Race Director
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 11,361
Likes: 383
From: Plano TX
Re: OT: Speeding Ticket, MA cops (Pacin'California)
The following is true for Texas, but many other states as well, so is worth checking out:
Most moving violations qualify for defensive driving. Exceptions are reckless driving. Note: Going more than 25 mph over the limit is reckless and does not qualify.
DD is ALWAYS your best bet:
1. NO POINTS. Insurance company never finds out.
2. No record. Ticket is DISMISSED.
3. Less $$$. You can find DD classes for $50 or less. My company offers them to employees for $25. Many companies do as a service to employees. Court costs are $55+$10 for a copy of driving record. Still less than paying the ticket.
4. Qualifies you for a 10% insurance discount for 3 years, which means you will make your money back.
You can take a DD class once a year. If you get a second ticket within that year there are plenty of layers that will get you deferred adjudication for around $100. Deferred adjudication means "probation". You usually get 3 or 6 months (up to the judge) where you can't have any more tickets. After that time your ticket is dismissed. Court costs are higher than DD but ins co never finds out.
If you get yet another ticket within that time, maybe it's time to slow down... But a good layer can fix that too. I know a guy that had 8 tickets in a year and not a single one went on his record.
Getting a ticket on your record is always BAD. My GF had a small parking lot accident ($1000 total payout) and then 2 years later a 45mph in a 30 ticket. Ins co dropped her because she was now considered high risk. She had been with them 11 years with no claims except the $1k one. Never let a ticket go on your record.
Most moving violations qualify for defensive driving. Exceptions are reckless driving. Note: Going more than 25 mph over the limit is reckless and does not qualify.
DD is ALWAYS your best bet:
1. NO POINTS. Insurance company never finds out.
2. No record. Ticket is DISMISSED.
3. Less $$$. You can find DD classes for $50 or less. My company offers them to employees for $25. Many companies do as a service to employees. Court costs are $55+$10 for a copy of driving record. Still less than paying the ticket.
4. Qualifies you for a 10% insurance discount for 3 years, which means you will make your money back.
You can take a DD class once a year. If you get a second ticket within that year there are plenty of layers that will get you deferred adjudication for around $100. Deferred adjudication means "probation". You usually get 3 or 6 months (up to the judge) where you can't have any more tickets. After that time your ticket is dismissed. Court costs are higher than DD but ins co never finds out.
If you get yet another ticket within that time, maybe it's time to slow down... But a good layer can fix that too. I know a guy that had 8 tickets in a year and not a single one went on his record.
Getting a ticket on your record is always BAD. My GF had a small parking lot accident ($1000 total payout) and then 2 years later a 45mph in a 30 ticket. Ins co dropped her because she was now considered high risk. She had been with them 11 years with no claims except the $1k one. Never let a ticket go on your record.
