Speed limits exist for public safety, but they serve as a major source of frustration for many motorists. Quite a few drivers resent having rules that control how quickly they reach their destinations. Speeding is relatively common. It is one of the few legal violations that many people readily admit to regularly committing.
People do not worry about violating speed limits because they recognize that most incidents of speeding do not result in consequences. Only a tiny fraction of those who violate the speed limit receive citations in any given year. Most of the people who receive speeding tickets quickly pay the fine and move on with their lives.
They may think that paying a ticket is the best option because South Carolina imposes relatively low fines for speed violations. However, the long-term consequences of a speeding violation might make fighting a traffic ticket a better choice.
Speeding can affect insurance rates
The fines associated with speeding tickets are relatively minor. In South Carolina, a speeding violation can lead to between $15 and $200 in fines, and drivers may also need to cover court costs in some cases. There are also points added to the motorist’s driver’s license, which can put their driving privileges at risk. The severity of a speeding infraction influences the fine and the number of points added to a driver’s record.
Paying a ticket doesn’t just mean covering the fine. It also means accepting higher costs for car insurance. Researchers estimate that a single speeding ticket can increase insurance premium costs by an average of 19%. Those with multiple or more serious violations may see a bigger increase in their costs.
The more coverage a driver carries, the more they may end up paying for their insurance after a speeding ticket. In some cases, the increase could be hundreds of dollars each year for those with full-coverage policies. Those who drive for work may also need to consider the impact a ticket could have on their employment or commercial driver’s license (CDL).
Drivers who choose to respond to traffic citations can potentially preserve their driving privileges and maintain reasonable insurance costs. Reviewing the situation that led to a ticket with a skilled legal team can help a driver determine if going to court might be a wise choice, given their circumstances.
