keeping your licence
Discussion
crackthatoff said:
How does the law work in the us with regards to speeding?
do you have a points system like ours where you lose your licence for a couple of small speeding tickets? I can appreciate that it may vary from state to state but whats it like where you live ?
do you have a points system like ours where you lose your licence for a couple of small speeding tickets? I can appreciate that it may vary from state to state but whats it like where you live ?
You do get points for speeding - I got busted in California a while ago and got three, I think. What's worse is that in some states, 30 mph over the speed limit is a felony, which is quite serious.
Since you are UK based I guess your question is just for general interest - most states I have lived in have various "points" systems where you accumulate a certain number of points for certain moving violations, if you have any points they go away at a certain rate over time. If you go beyond a certain level you are banned for a specific length of time.
The details vary widely from state to state. Certain stunts in certain states can get you banned immediately.
Your insurance tends to go up if you collect points.
The details vary widely from state to state. Certain stunts in certain states can get you banned immediately.
Your insurance tends to go up if you collect points.
Don't mean to bring this back from the dead, but In Louisiana they had a points system for speeding tickets and if I remember correctly once you got 9 points they were supposed to suspend your lic. for 6 months. Well during my "formative years" I amassed well over 15 speeding tickets and a couple of wreckless operation tickets all in the span of a year. I cannot imagine I didnt reach 9 points and while I remember being very nervous that one day they would call to tell me the jig was up, They never did. I have since spoken to a few others from all over the country who have been in the same boat and as far as I can tell, unless you live on the northeastern coast (Ny, Va, ect) you can pretty much ignore it. It is up to the judge to catch it and so long as you pay the tickets on time he never reviews the case.
Blaize, I can attest to your comments. Growing up in Massachusetts, I had a million points at all times it seemed. (Prior to purchasing my first radar detector, that is). I'm guessing unless you ended up in front of a judge, there was nobody who was specifically there to monitor points, so we all got away with going over the limit.
My brother lives in Seattle . . . he was forever getting speeding tickets when he first moved there and he referred them to a specialist lawyer who managed to get him off almost all of them. Cost a bit, c.$500 a ticket I think, but I think he only paid when the lawyer was successful. Great system......
One real issue in all of this is how likely you are to get pinched in the first place. In Florida we have no 'fixed speed cameras', but lots and lots - and lots of motivated cops. Speed traps (both mobile and "hidden in the bushes" scanning radar/laser) intensify towards the end of the month, when plod realizes they haven't met their monthly ticket quotas.
If you speed habitually here, it is inevitable that you will get busted sooner or later - unless you protect yourself with a radar detector. If you get pulled for speeding and you have a radar detector, they throw the book at you, citing "Intentional reckless operation".
Some habitual speeders I've talked to always contest and set a court date, the strategy being that if the LEO who nicked you doesn't show up for your court apperance (presumably because he's too busy busting other hapless speeders) the case gets dismissed and you walk. Not sure how advisable a strategy that is, because if you contest and he does show-up, the fine/points is going to be uglier.
If the pinch is a bit marginal, your attitude and co-operation can go a long way to getting you off with a stern talking-to. I made a donation to FL State Troopers benevolent fund and the sticker I got as a result, which I affixed to the rear window of my car, got my daughter off a 30mph in a school zone - $180 ticket, so there clearly is a little 'wriggle-room', without having to resort to scum-sucking, thieving, low-life bastards (attorneys).
If you speed habitually here, it is inevitable that you will get busted sooner or later - unless you protect yourself with a radar detector. If you get pulled for speeding and you have a radar detector, they throw the book at you, citing "Intentional reckless operation".
Some habitual speeders I've talked to always contest and set a court date, the strategy being that if the LEO who nicked you doesn't show up for your court apperance (presumably because he's too busy busting other hapless speeders) the case gets dismissed and you walk. Not sure how advisable a strategy that is, because if you contest and he does show-up, the fine/points is going to be uglier.
If the pinch is a bit marginal, your attitude and co-operation can go a long way to getting you off with a stern talking-to. I made a donation to FL State Troopers benevolent fund and the sticker I got as a result, which I affixed to the rear window of my car, got my daughter off a 30mph in a school zone - $180 ticket, so there clearly is a little 'wriggle-room', without having to resort to scum-sucking, thieving, low-life bastards (attorneys).
Yep Matt is pretty much on the money.
With regard to Adam's post above using lawyers.
I think they may be taking advantage of the plea system.
Basically, you have a $50 ticket that carries 2 points. You intend to plead not guilty. You MAY be offered a plea. New charge, a $80 fine but no points.
It's based on court time, the court wants to earn money. N Gs are time consuming.
I did it for my wife, financially it's a no brainer.
Word of advice don't start the process with "If I were willing to pay a little extra"
Or you will be !
With regard to Adam's post above using lawyers.
I think they may be taking advantage of the plea system.
Basically, you have a $50 ticket that carries 2 points. You intend to plead not guilty. You MAY be offered a plea. New charge, a $80 fine but no points.
It's based on court time, the court wants to earn money. N Gs are time consuming.
I did it for my wife, financially it's a no brainer.
Word of advice don't start the process with "If I were willing to pay a little extra"
Or you will be !
Edited by jeff m on Wednesday 31st October 16:54
Gassing Station | USA & Canada | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff