hot to deal with VA speeding ticket

[Anonymous]

I'm embarrassed. I got a ticket this morning for the first time since I was 17 (about 18 years ago)... and I'm fortunate the officer didn't cite me for reckless driving. I was going 60 in a 35. It was an open, straight road, no traffic and I was thinking about getting to work. Zoned out.

I'm trying to understand the point system in VA (didn't live here 18 years ago). Should I go to court and try to get this reduced? The fine right now is about $217 which is crazy expensive. I totally did it, and I accept the punishment. I'm just concerned about the points on my (formerly) clean driving record.

Thoughts?

[Anonymous]

duh. the subject should have said "how to deal with VA speeding ticket." i am so freaked out by this.

[Anonymous]

You are super lucky. Cut your losses and pay up.

I got a speeding ticket on 66. going against traffic - 78 in a 55. I lost my license for 60 days. Never had any tickets or anything.

I even took the defensive driving course before my court date - didn't help.

Yeah, everyone speeds on 66, but i was speeding. And so were you - so pay up.

[Anonymous]

oh, and speaking of expensive - the ticket, court cost, and the $$ it took to get my license reinstated?? close to $2000.00

seriously - thank your lucky stars

[Anonymous]

i'm fine paying... i just wanted to try to get the points reduced.

[Anonymous]

Holy crap. Anything above 20 mph over is usually pretty serious - you could have been charged witha misdemeanor!!

I learned this when stopped for going (gasp) 69 on the beltway. Apparently it was a 50 mph zone. Got a lecture about how lucky I was that it wasn't 70 mph.

[Anonymous]

Sometimes they'll let you take a driving refresher course to limit the number of points on your license. Just call and ask.

[Anonymous]

I'm shocked you didn't get the reckless driving charge (I thought is was automatic at 20+ over the speed limit). DH got nabbed for reckless driving on Rt 267 going 78 in a 55 zone. He took the defensive driving course and we haven't seen any increase in his points. I'd take the course.

[Anonymous]

Just pay the fucking ticket.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You are super lucky. Cut your losses and pay up.

I got a speeding ticket on 66. going against traffic - 78 in a 55. I lost my license for 60 days. Never had any tickets or anything.

I even took the defensive driving course before my court date - didn't help.

Yeah, everyone speeds on 66, but i was speeding. And so were you - so pay up.

I believe if someone is going 20 or miles above speed limit in VA, officer can put you in jail. You were stupid (35 miles over speed limit!) and lucky. Pay up. I am surprised that you don't have to take the driving course.

[Anonymous]

You deserve every single point and more! Just face it!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Just pay the fucking ticket.

really, the f-bomb?

[Anonymous]

i was going 25 miles over the limit, not 35. and yes, i know i was wrong. it was a clear, sunny day, i had just gotten out of heavy traffic and it was a divided highway, open road. it was really easy to stay on the gas... i just wasn't paying close attention. There were NO other cars in front or behind me.

geez, i asked a question. i didn't need you all to berate me, talk to me like i am 4 years old, or be snotty. i feel like crap already. thanks.

[Anonymous]

for those that took a defensive driver course, did you or your husband do it online? any recommendations?

[Anonymous]

Many years ago, I was pulled over for speeding in New York State - cop said 71 in a 55. I didn't think I could possibly have been going that fast and said so, and the cop gave me a break by writing the ticket for "failing to obey a posted traffic sign" or something like that, instead of a "speeding" ticket. I mailed in the notice that I would contest it, and then received a notice in the mail prior to my court date that the prosecution had upped the charges back to speeding. I went to court and lost. And I ended up getting two more speeding tickets over the next six months (yeah, I know, but I was 20 and stupid) which led to NY suspending my driving privileges in the state for six months.

Long story short, the guy gave you a break. I'm really surprised you didn't get the automatic reckless driving. Pay the ticket. If your insurance goes up afterwards, call your insurer and ask if there's something you can do, like a driving class, to alleviate the higher rate. Do NOT just call your insurance company and tell them you got a ticket and ask about points, though.