Speeding Ticket- Arlington County

[Anonymous]

I received my first speeding ticket and could use advice as to the best next steps. I was going 16 over in a 45 MPH zone. In addition to not speeding going forward, is the best strategy to 1) pay ticket, accept points and likely insurance premium increase; or 2) appear in court, sincerely apologize, offer to take safe driving course; or 3) take driving course before court date and appear, apologize and ask for reduction? Thank you!

[Anonymous]

Pay the ticket and move on. Traffic court doesn't care about your apology.

[Anonymous]

16 MPH over the limit isn't reckless driving, when you'd really have a problem.

[Anonymous]

Apology when you were going 61 in a 45?

Also, where is there a 45 mph in Arlington?

[Anonymous]

It's been quite a few years, but I once got cited for reckless driving on Old Dominion Drive in Arlington for driving 20+ over the limit. I appeared in court and pled "guilty with explanation" and told the judge the true story that I was driving home to deal with a real family emergency. I had no recent previous speeding tickets on my record. The judge reduced the charge to the equivalent of driving 5 miles over the speed limit.

Something for you to consider.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Apology when you were going 61 in a 45?

Also, where is there a 45 mph in Arlington?

I was thinking 110 maybe Rt 50?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It's been quite a few years, but I once got cited for reckless driving on Old Dominion Drive in Arlington for driving 20+ over the limit. I appeared in court and pled "guilty with explanation" and told the judge the true story that I was driving home to deal with a real family emergency. I had no recent previous speeding tickets on my record. The judge reduced the charge to the equivalent of driving 5 miles over the speed limit.

Something for you to consider.

20+ on Old Dominion?? (30 mph speed limit). That is terrifying. I drive that road every single day. You’re lucky you didn’t create someone else’s family emergency. I hope you never do that again

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's been quite a few years, but I once got cited for reckless driving on Old Dominion Drive in Arlington for driving 20+ over the limit. I appeared in court and pled "guilty with explanation" and told the judge the true story that I was driving home to deal with a real family emergency. I had no recent previous speeding tickets on my record. The judge reduced the charge to the equivalent of driving 5 miles over the speed limit.

Something for you to consider.

20+ on Old Dominion?? (30 mph speed limit). That is terrifying. I drive that road every single day. You’re lucky you didn’t create someone else’s family emergency. I hope you never do that again

Oh, spare me. It wasn't "terrifying." And as I said it was a long time ago.

[Anonymous]

It’s been a long time but my DH got a speeding ticket on the Dulles airport road. He appeared in court and paid a fine, along with all the others who had been ticketed by the same officer. The judge read them a short lecture and that was it. No points.

[Anonymous]

Get an attorney, it automatically knocks it down and saves way more on insurance than the attorney fee

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's been quite a few years, but I once got cited for reckless driving on Old Dominion Drive in Arlington for driving 20+ over the limit. I appeared in court and pled "guilty with explanation" and told the judge the true story that I was driving home to deal with a real family emergency. I had no recent previous speeding tickets on my record. The judge reduced the charge to the equivalent of driving 5 miles over the speed limit.

Something for you to consider.

20+ on Old Dominion?? (30 mph speed limit). That is terrifying. I drive that road every single day. You’re lucky you didn’t create someone else’s family emergency. I hope you never do that again

Oh, spare me. It wasn't "terrifying." And as I said it was a long time ago.

Me again. Now that I think about it, I could have sworn I was charged with reckless driving for going 47 in a 30. Did they change the law in VA to make it 20+ to qualify for reckless?

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the advice all. I know I deserved some scolding too but am just wanting to deal with the facts I have to mitigate the repercussions.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Get an attorney, it automatically knocks it down and saves way more on insurance than the attorney fee

For 16 over? That’s crazy. If it were reckless yeah you’d need one. If you have a clean record your insurance shouldn’t increase that much if at all. Attorney will cost way more.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's been quite a few years, but I once got cited for reckless driving on Old Dominion Drive in Arlington for driving 20+ over the limit. I appeared in court and pled "guilty with explanation" and told the judge the true story that I was driving home to deal with a real family emergency. I had no recent previous speeding tickets on my record. The judge reduced the charge to the equivalent of driving 5 miles over the speed limit.

Something for you to consider.

20+ on Old Dominion?? (30 mph speed limit). That is terrifying. I drive that road every single day. You’re lucky you didn’t create someone else’s family emergency. I hope you never do that again

Oh, spare me. It wasn't "terrifying." And as I said it was a long time ago.

Me again. Now that I think about it, I could have sworn I was charged with reckless driving for going 47 in a 30. Did they change the law in VA to make it 20+ to qualify for reckless?

It’s always been 20+.

Someone who got a reckless on 81. Hired lawyer and it totally went away. Not even a speeding ticket on my record. Total money grab. SW VA not NOVA.

[Anonymous]

SLOW the F$$K down. I live near Clarendon and the cars go way too fast all over Wilson/Clarendon/Langston and through the neighborhoods and the streets are filled with pedestrians and kids on bikes.