Getting a traffic ticket is frustrating, but it’s not just a fine you pay and forget about. What seems minor can snowball fast. Every ticket can increase future consequences for similar infractions and contribute to accumulating points on your license.
Depending on the ticket, you might also see your car insurance premiums rise, and enough tickets can get you a suspended license. Once you understand what’s truly at stake, fighting even the smallest traffic ticket makes sense.
Your insurance costs might increase substantially
What might be a $100 or $200 ticket today can turn into thousands in extra insurance premiums. For example, one speeding ticket can increase your premiums by 20% or more, based on your state and driving record. This increase can go into effect for 3-5 years. And if you accumulate multiple violations, your insurer might classify you as a high-risk driver and either raise your premiums higher or cancel your policy.
When you fight your traffic tickets successfully or reduce the charge, you might be able to avoid insurance rate hikes. Just one reduced charge can put you into a category that your insurer doesn’t count as high-risk.
License points add up fast
Most drivers don’t think about points until it’s too late. Each state has a system where earning a certain number of points within a given timeframe can result in a suspended license. For example, many states cap it at 12 points in 12 months. These points can add up fast if you aren’t paying attention. If fighting your ticket can prevent you from getting any points on your license, it’s worth the effort since they can stay on your record for around five years.
It’s critical to acknowledge that even minor violations carry points. Speeding just a few miles an hour over the limit can sometimes add points to your record and will add up quickly.
Not all tickets are valid
One of the biggest reasons to fight your traffic tickets is the fact that not all tickets are valid. Police officers frequently make mistakes, and it’s frustrating when you know they’re wrong. For instance, sometimes officers don’t know the law and ticket people for illegal window tints and lights that are, in fact, legal. It’s also common for radar guns to give incorrect readings and for automated speed traps to be wrong. Some officers maliciously ticket people for speeding, not knowing they have dash cam footage proving they were going the speed limit.
You have the legal right to challenge everything about your traffic stop and your ticket. If anything was done incorrectly, from how the stop was conducted to the ticket you were written, your only chance at getting it dismissed is to fight.
Traffic tickets can impact your employment
If you have a commercial driver’s license, even a minor violation can pose a threat to your job since employers usually have strict policies about driving records. If you drive a company vehicle, you probably had to go through a screening process to make sure you have a clean record first. Getting a ticket after the fact can result in suspended duties or termination.
If your income depends on your ability to drive, it’s worth fighting any traffic tickets you receive. It’s your only chance at maintaining a clean record and keeping your professional opportunities available.
You might have a better defense than you think
Most people assume traffic tickets aren’t worth fighting because they can’t be won. However, that’s not true. There are a lot of defenses that work to get traffic tickets dropped or reduced. That’s why you should contact a lawyer if you’ve been issued a ticket that has the potential for long-term consequences. When you fight a ticket, you might be able to get it dismissed if you meet certain conditions, like completing a court-ordered driving course or traffic school.
Fighting your ticket can make you a better driver
You may not realize it, but fighting a traffic ticket will force you to pay attention to how you drive. You’ll learn exactly how traffic laws are applied in reality, and that will make you more attentive on the road. People who have been through the hassle of getting ticketed are more likely to alter their driving habits to avoid future tickets. This will make you more responsible, less of a liability, and can prevent future tickets.
Tickets might be small, but the consequences aren’t
Traffic tickets look like minor issues, but the impact can hurt your finances, your career, and your ability to drive for years. It’s easy to just pay a ticket and forget about it, but when you fight, you protect your future.
