No one likes to get a traffic ticket. They are expensive and can add points to your license. While you try your best to avoid them by driving safely, sometimes life happens. Maybe you didn’t see the posted speed limit or you thought you had a little more time before that light turned red. Either way, getting out of a traffic ticket may be a realistic solution in many cases.
Before you get that dreaded ticket, is there anything you can do to prevent it?
Of course! In 2012 alone, there were 30,800 fatal motor vehicle crashes in the U.S. which led to 33,561 individual deaths. Also, about 1 in 3 people claim to know someone who was injured or killed in a red-light running accident. With numbers like these, it is no surprise why police officers are out there looking for offenders. A police officer’s job is to keep people on the road safe, and you must keep this in mind when getting pulled over. In fact, you may be able to avoid traffic tickets and fines simply by being polite and respectful to the officer who pulls you over. You are more likely to get only a warning if you follow the officer’s instructions, don’t make excuses or lie, and express concern for his/her safety and the safety of others.
Being nice didn’t work, now what?
Unfortunately, many traffic violations do result in a ticket. But, before you pay that fine, you may want to consider fighting it in court. While fighting a traffic ticket is a little time consuming, it may be worth it. If you can avoid a hefty fine or points going on your license, fighting it is a great idea. If you do your research on the law you allegedly broke, come up with valid reasons why you broke it (maybe you were on your way to an emergency, or you didn’t see a sign because it was old or broken), and/or can challenge the officer’s observation, you can represent yourself in court. However, you must be prepared for the possibility of a less than favorable outcome. If you’d like to fight your ticket, but need some professional advising, hiring a ticket attorney may be your best bet. A ticket attorney is trained in the traffic laws and can help you formulate your best argument for fighting your ticket. So, if you have some money to spend and/or your penalty seems steep (a high fine or license points), having a ticket attorney represent you is probably your best option.
Of course the best way to avoid high fines and license points is to obey all traffic laws, be alert while driving, and be mindful of posted signs. However, no one’s driving is perfect all of the time. Hopefully these strategies can help you avoid costly traffic tickets, and get back on the road with confidence.
