First Speeding Ticket

[Peter69]

I just received my first speeding ticket. I've been driving for 30 years and have no violations against me ( not even a parking ticket ) ! I came off the expressway and stopped for a red light. Then I proceeded ahead preparing to turn into a place of business close by. I missed the driveway so went into the next one ( Red Lobster ). Since it was a one way street with a divider in the middle I proceeded down the street and prepared to turn around when possible. Next thing I know a cop is pulling me over. I thought perhaps he was going to say I had made an improper u-turn or something. Imagine my surprise when he said I was speeding at 72 in a 50. There is no way in the short distance that I had travelled from the stop light, that I could ever reach a speed of 72 unless I put the pedal to the metal, which I didn't and don't.

I was alone, but my wife thinks that they were sitting in the plaza and recorded my speed as I left the expressway approaching the red light. Then they followed me down the street and pulled me over to say that now since I am in a 50 zone that I am speeding. He showed me the radar gun with a reading of 72 on it. I told him I have no convictions and just don't speed and am a very careful driver. When he came back he had reduced the ticket to 60 in a 50 'cuz he said I had a good report/record. So I gain no demerit points and the ticket is for only $ 40.00. Not too bad.

My question is...should I still fight it ? I am going to Points , Traffic Stop, and Ticket Defenders this week. I want to know what are my best options , etc. It just pisses me off 'cuz all my friends speed and laugh 'cuz I just drive the speed limit. Very rarely, and I mean VERY RARELY do I ever speed. I'm like 110 on the 401 and everyone else is 120, 140 and more. Maybe I'm just a goody too shoes ( I guess not if I am a hobbier lol ) , but why should I get nailed for speeding while everyone else is whizzing by me. I know life isn't fair but come on...give me a break.

Thanks to all for any info and help.

 

[nihilism]

Yes you should fight it, as even without demerit points your insurance rates will likely increase. You are better off fighting this type of ticket yourself, than using a service. The services you listed get paid as long as they "win" the case. Which means any reduction in the charge or fine. That simple reduction you can negotiate yourself at the first appearance.

 

[TRX]

just pay the $40 fine, since he reduced it already plus no demerit point.
your insurance will not be affected

 

[Thunderballs]

Sounds like you got a break. Factoring in time off work etc for the fight, I'd just pay the $40.

 

[doggee_01]

pay the $40......it's not worth the hassle

 

[doinker]

rates wont increase on first ticket in 30 years no points just pay it if rates go up change insurance

 

[The Bandit]

Why would you go to Pointts ( http://www.pointts.com/) or any of the others, your ticket is $40 and no points, they probably won't even take it on. I had my first speeding ticket 2 1/2 years ago going 29 over and 2 points, and my insurance never went up.

 

[Stoo]

I had my first speeding ticket 2 1/2 years ago going 29 over and 2 points, and my insurance never went up.

Insurance only "spot check" driving records at renewal time. The odds of them checking yours is pretty small. There is no system in place where traffic offence records are automatically fed to insurance companies every night.

One time you are at risk is when you start comparison shopping and your company is asked to requote your business. Then your record will likely come up. There's a lot to be said for just staying with your current insurer if you have a couple of moving offences that haven't increased your rates.

 

[tboy]

pay the frickin thing.......even with insurance checks one blemmie isn't going to do a darn thing to your rates.......

Now I have to wonder: what was the speed limit on the ramp? Probably 50.......

 

[Peter69]

pay the frickin thing.......even with insurance checks one blemmie isn't going to do a darn thing to your rates.......

Now I have to wonder: what was the speed limit on the ramp? Probably 50.......

Actually it doesn't quite have a ramp. I was in Kitchener, and it is more like an offshoot that becomes King st. I went back and looked to see the surroundings. It doesn't turn 50 until after you cross the intersection with the red light which I stopped at. I probably will just pay it, and forget about it. I just thought I would get some input from my fellow hobbiest. Thanks to all.

 

[dsc]

KW and Guelph are just greedy for money.

 

[tboy]

Well, it may not be posted but most offramps or any sort have a reccommended speed of 50 kph....I didn't think they enforced reccommended speeds anyways....

 

[El Mariachi]

Depending on which plan of insurance you are on, for example if u have State Farm, and you are on a plan B , then a ticket will definitely hurt ur premium. If you are on a plan A, then it shouldnt do any harm.

However, if I were you, I would fight it.

 

[Scarey]

I got one last week...97 in a 70..he asked where I was going so fast?...I said"to see your wife,,,like I do every morning when you leave for work.......".....no..no I didn't say that, but it did pop into my mind as he stared at me with indignation of a disapproving parent.

 

[Boyscout352]

Depends on your insurance company. To avoid taking a hit on your insurance premiums you have to get the ticket dropped. Its not the demerit points that the insurance company looks at but its the number of minor convictions on your record. If you pay the ticket, its counts as a minor conviction. By paying, you acknowledge guilt of the infraction without contesting. Because the provincial insurance freeze has been lifted, several insurance companies have proceeded to spike insurance rates.

If you do a search here there are several threads here about traffic tickets.

 

[Knight Rider]

I think you should fight it if you believe that you unjustly received the ticket. I got a $30 parking ticket that was issued by my building saying that I was parking on their private property without their consent even though I pay them $75 a month to park there. It would be much easier for me to pay the $30, but I am going to court to fight it for the principle of it.

 

[mb12ca]

Your insurance rates won't increase for a 12 over. You usually only get rate increases when you go 15 or over and even then, with your driving record, you wouldn't see much of a hit. I would just pay the $40 and be done with it.

Just as a side note, when you get pulled over by a cop with a radar gun, and you then select for a trial date. Both the cop who pulled you over and the radar operator (if they are two separate officers which often happens) have to show and give evidence in court. If not, you can't be convicted of the speeding offense.

 

[tboy]

I think you should fight it if you believe that you unjustly received the ticket. I got a $30 parking ticket that was issued by my building saying that I was parking on their private property without their consent even though I pay them $75 a month to park there. It would be much easier for me to pay the $30, but I am going to court to fight it for the principle of it.

Well, you're talking apples and oranges my friend. To compare your case with the OPs the OP would have to have already paid the ticket before he was issued it or a summons to appear in court for the ticket he already paid........