Caught Speeding in the USA? Here's what to do next...
Getting caught speeding is incredibly worrying, and it can happen to even the most careful and conscientious of drivers.
Whether you’re driving in an unfamiliar area, you’re distracted by music, your kids are arguing in the back or your partner is chatting away to you, the moment you realise you’ve been clocked by a speed camera or you’ve been pulled over by the police is utterly devastating.
But, what happens now? Read on for what to do next if you’re caught speeding.
Don’t panic
If you’ve been pulled over, make sure you remain calm, slow down and pull over as soon as it is safe to do so. Don’t speed off and think you can get away with it, you’ll only make matters worse. Pull over as soon as possible and don’t panic.
Be respectful to the officer
You may be frightened, angry or desperate to prove that you weren’t speeding - whatever your current state of mind it’s important that you’re respectful to the officer who’s pulled you over. It’s their job to keep you and other road users safe, and if you’re aggressive or make their job difficult then you’re more likely to get into even more trouble. Be respectful.
Understand the penalties involved
If you've been caught speeding then you'll have to go to court and attend a speed awareness course to reduce your penalties. And you'll either be facing a rather large fine or points on your license. Many offenders opt for the points rather than the fine, simply because it's kinder to their bank accounts. However, if you have points on your license you then face higher insurance premiums, you could also obtain more points during this time which means your monthly payment will increase further. It may also make it difficult to get a job that involves driving or other responsibilities.
Should you hire a lawyer?
Once you have received a verbal warning and your ticket, you might want to consider hiring a lawyer to help you navigate the system and get you a better legal result. If getting a speeding ticket and consequential points and fines would have negative consequences on your job or reputation then hiring a lawyer is advisable. Going to court alone is also quite daunting and having a lawyer on your side can make things easier.
The benefits of hiring a lawyer
If you choose to hire a lawyer to guide you through your speeding ticket offence, then you need to do your research first. The court should take into consideration your previous driving record, the weather conditions, and other traffic factors. If your lawyer is familiar with the district attorney and how they work, then your lawyer will be able to tailor your case to get the outcome you are looking for.
It’s less money than you might think
Hiring a lawyer sounds expensive, but the rates of hiring a lawyer to help you with your speeding ticket could cost less than you might think. Compare their fee to that of the speeding ticket and potential rise in your insurance premiums and it's worth considering.
Pic: https://www.economical.com/en/blog/economical-blog/october-2017/getting-up-to-speed-with-radar-guns