Advice on speeding ticket needed

[ewenn342]

Ok, So I had a bad morning yesterday and got a speeding ticket. My head was in an angry place from a very bad prior days events. Not that that makes it right. I was not conscious of the speed limit going from 50 to 35 mph.
The first ticket in over 10 years! I was doing well. What I would like to know is. Is there any way to avoid the points for this ticket? I reside in Michigan if that matters. I was definitely at fault and I am fully willing to pay the ticket cost. It’s the points for the next 3-5 years that the insurance companies use to hike the rate that bothers me. So if there are any knowledgeable persons willing to lend some advice, I would really appreciate it.

[taosports]

Tickets are no fun but there's hope. Here in California we have what's called traffic school. Attend one over a weekend and no points are recorded against you on your driving record. In some counties you can even take the class online! Anyway, check with your state's Department of Motor Vehicles and see what your options are.

Good luck!

[rdsmith3]

If you have a choice between just paying, or appearing in court, I suggest you go to court. It is possible that the officer who gave you the ticket might not appear, or it is possible that the prosecutor will cut a deal and make it something that is not a moving violation.

If that doesn't work, try traffic school, as suggested above.

I've had days like that, too. Sorry to hear about it. But some times you just have to pay the consequences.

[towerworker]

In Virginia we have a "Driver Improvement Class". I too got my first speeding ticket in over 20 years about 3 years ago. The judge that I went before told me if I took the class that he would dismiss the ticket.

I did and he did.

Look into it----hopefully your state has the same.

Wayne

[OU812]

If you want a "guarantee" for no points, get a lawyer.

[Beemeridian]

897

[duke]

I apologise if this sounds controversial:

Face the music and the consequences.

Or else we may as well just sell the bikes, get into our cars, T-bone a biker and say "Sorry, did not see you".

Otherwise - I simpathise with you.

[towerworker]

"I apologise if this sounds controversial:

Face the music and the consequences. "


Duke--I have to take just a little issue with what you said.
Not much but a little-----I agree that we need to be willing to accept the fact that we are wrong and with that be willing to pay the due penalty. All part of being adult and a man (or woman). But if there is an opportunity available to make ourselves better drivers then I think that is our responsibility. If that opportunity has the benefit of reducing or eliminating a ticket penalty then all the better.

I don't agree with folks that hire attorneys to help them get out of something and the end result is they don't learn anything. (other than the fact that their wallet now hurts)

We all make mistakes, when I got my ticket 3 years ago I was doing 48 in a 25 and ran thru radar (in a subdivision). I saw the officer and immediately pulled over and got off the bike and got my license out. I apologized to the officer, admitted I was wrong and willingly took the ticket. Said the same to the judge but I asked him were there any alternatives available to me other then just simply paying the ticket. There were and I took advantage of them.

ewenn342 readily accepts responsibility for the speeding ticket--he made no excuses----just wants to know if there are alternatives----that's what the driver improvement classes are for---making us better and safer drivers.

I wonder how many of us think to occasionally take an improvement class just because we want to and not because we have to? Probably not many.

But we should-----it's worth the $50 to $100 just in improving our attitudes when we get behind the wheel or on the bike. Makes us think.

Several of us in my area (many of us on this board) took an experienced rider course this past saturday for the very same reason. It was fun of course but more than that ---- I think we'll all be safer riders as a result.

Wayne

[dragonmojo]

If you want a "guarantee" for no points, get a lawyer.

You're a lawyer, aren't you?

[OU812]

If you want a "guarantee" for no points, get a lawyer.

You're a lawyer, aren't you?

Not in a million years. I hate them all. Just find them necessary when dealing in the law of this land. If I had my way, I would join Shakespeare, and advise that they all belong at the bottom of the Ocean.

[Capt. Blackadder]

Is there any way to avoid the points for this ticket?

I recently received a "performance award" as well, my first one on this continent. The officer told me that I could take an online traffic school class, so that I wouldn't have to waste an entire day in class somewhere. I Googled it and found, among other things, Driving University. You will have to verify with the court in the jurisdiction where the ticket was issued whether you can do the online thing, but if you take a traffic school class, online or in person, you should be able to avoid any points on your license.

[dragonmojo]

If you want a "guarantee" for no points, get a lawyer.

You're a lawyer, aren't you?

Not in a million years. I hate them all. Just find them necessary when dealing in the law of this land. If I had my way, I would join Shakespeare, and advise that they all belong at the bottom of the Ocean.

First, we kill them all?

[towerworker]

Hope there's no lawyers on this board!

Wayne

[OU812]

I must admit, the last ticket I received turned out as no record. Just had to send extra $.

[OU812]

You're a lawyer, aren't you?

Not in a million years. I hate them all. Just find them necessary when dealing in the law of this land. If I had my way, I would join Shakespeare, and advise that they all belong at the bottom of the Ocean.

First, we kill them all?

No, just kidding. That was a real quote from Shakespeare.

[Beemeridian]

99

[boxermania]

The issue here is points......

First, in most states if it is the first moving violation in three years you can go to "Drving School" (in some you can even get the training over the net) and they will keep the violation off your record if you stay clean for 6 months. This would be your best course of action .....

Other states allow you to pay the fine up front and not report it to the insurance companies.

Sometimes you can get the officer to change from a moving violation to a seat belt voiolation and pay the fine.

Last but not least, there are "services" that for a small monetary contribution they manage to "pull the citaion from the stack" if you know what I mean.

Take your pick......

[duke]

... We all make mistakes ...

Wayne,

I believe I have my right to answer:

Assumptions, assumptions ... This was not about paying a penalty, but about taking a stance and owning to one's actions. Sure enough, ewenn342 admits to being at fault. That is why I sympathise. If there is the opportunity to take that course to avoid getting the points, all the better. I believe the purpose of the law is not to punish disproportionately. But if getting off the hook would involve "It was not me, I did not do it, There were mitigating circumstances" type of excuse ... we are no better than all those car drivers we accuse of being careless.

I am not better than anyone and have my own speeding points. Unfortunately I did not have the option to redeem myself by going on a course. Paid the fine and life goes on. No drama. But I would consider the option to go on advanced riding course for completely different reasons.

Couple of months back a policeman caught me doing something which was considered rather normal by most of the bikers in UK, but was 100% illegal. I was facing at least 6 points (out of 12, 3 already in use), charge of dangerous riding, heavy fine, etc. etc. I did exactly like you, being civil and polite. Upon his question "What is the excuse for doing so and so", the answer was - "No excuse whatsoever".

Needless to say, I did not get any points or fine. I was not even lectured by the cop. He just would not comprehend why someone in my circumstances would behave like me. Since then I 100% stopped doing that transgression. And not because I fear I will be stopped. And if that means 10 more minutes stuck in traffic, so be it.

*** Rant over ***

Francisco

[OU812]

Just a note. My traffic lawyer, who is now deceased was the best.(have not needed one for 25 years) My civil trial lawyer who I used to collect money from deadbeats, was disbarred. THE WORST!

[CycleRob]

Lawyers can often sidestep the points added to your record by making speeding a "Violation of STC sign" (State Traffic Commission).

Fortunately in GA the police ignore anything less than 9mph over. I still see cars/trucks stopped with blue lites flashing and glad it's not me. I'm behaving for the most part in traffic, but 6th gear on back roads is a hoot. Meeting police cars on those roads is scary, but they never flash or U-Turn and come after me. At least not that I know they tried. Also, stuffing the front brake HARD when I see the roof mounted blue lites doesn't make the headlite dive, so there's no indication of my "correction" to adhere to the STC sign.

The angels watching over me don't like lawyers either.