8 Mistakes To Avoid When You Get A Traffic Ticket

No matter how good of a driver you are, traffic and parking tickets are inevitable. Getting pulled over and receiving a ticket can be a stressful experience, but it’s important to stay calm. 

While a traffic ticket is not the end of the world, you may be liable to pay hundreds of dollars in fines. Moreover, breaking traffic laws may be included in your traffic record and also spike your insurance costs. That’s why it’s imperative to avoid certain mistakes when it comes to traffic tickets. Take a look.

Sharing Too Many Details

It’s normal to feel nervous when an officer pulls you over. But don’t let your nerves make the situation worse. Many drivers end up talking too much and unintentionally plead guilty to speeding or other violations. We urge you to keep your composure and focus on answering the officer’s questions. Try to comply with the officer’s requests to minimize the damage. 

Arguing With Cops

At times, charming people are able to get out of traffic tickets. However, such attempts can quickly backfire. If you were speeding because of an emergency or any other valid reason, you could use it to plead your case. That being said, always keep your tone polite and avoid arguing with the officer.

Neglecting To Read Your Ticket

When you get a ticket, don’t put it in the glove compartment and forget about it. Carefully go through all the details. If the officer has made any mistakes, such as writing incorrect license number or vehicle information, you can use this to get your ticket dismissed. Though there is no certainty that your ticket will be thrown out, such errors will improve your odds.

Paying Fines Without Question

Is paying the fine the only option? Absolutely not! Fighting a speeding ticket or any other ticket is your right. As previously mentioned, getting a ticket has greater implications than paying fines. You could end up with violation points on your license. It’s worth your while to look into the law, analyze the circumstances, and find ways to dispute your ticket. 

Not Seeking Help

It’s possible that you want to pay the fine and move on with your life because you don’t have the time to understand the law and fight your ticket. But who said you have to do it all alone? You can seek the services of a traffic attorney. Alternatively, you can also dispute tickets with the help of hassle-free apps.

Ignoring Tickets

If you think ignoring your ticket will make it go away, then think again. Doing this will just make your situation worse. Your liability will continue increasing with additional fines and penalties till you pay your ticket or appear in court. The court may even decide to suspend your license. 

Not Going To Traffic School

Going to traffic school may seem cumbersome, but it can be quite helpful. For example, if your license is on the verge of getting suspended, attending traffic school can eliminate points from your DMV record.

Thinking Tickets From Another State Don’t Matter

So you went to another state for a wedding and ended up getting a ticket. Are you liable to pay the ticket if you don’t live there? The short answer is yes. These days tickets from other states will show up at your doorstep, thanks to technology. So you should address it as soon as possible.

The Bottom Line

Getting ticketed is nothing to panic about. However, it’s important to be familiar with the law and know all your options rather than paying the fine. Remember, you have the right to fight traffic tickets. And this could save you from heavy fines and losing your license.