Posted by Lending Club :: March 10, 2009 @ 9:02 amGetting pulled over for speeding is never fun, but where your offense occurs will have a lot to do with the cost incurred.
Using 2007 data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, a useful state-by-state speeding ticket cost comparison table was generated. In addition to the maximum state speed and type of limit imposed, the maximum cost for a first-time offender is listed. While this information doesn’t tell you how much you can expect to pay for repeat offenses in your own state, it does give some indication of the relative cost from state to state.
The least expensive state for first-time speeders is North Dakota, which imposes a maximum fine of only $20. Illinois, Nevada, New Hampshire, and Vermont topped out the list at $1,000. The average fine was about $292, but only 17 states exceed that average.
It’s useful to know the maximum first-time fines when taking a road trip. I was once pulled over while driving through Connecticut and told that the ticket would have cost $250, but the officer had changed the speeding offense to a “Failure to Yield the Right of Way,” which only carried a $75 fine. While it may seem like the officer was doing a favor for an out-of-state driver, he was actually overcharging me since first-time speeding violations are capped at $50 in that state.
It is also important to remember that driving fast may save you time, but gas burns less efficiently at higher speeds, costing you more. Excessive speed may also wear out your car more quickly. Tickets also carry secondary costs such as higher insurance premiums or mandatory education programs for repeat offenders.
While you should always drive safely, you may choose to strictly follow the speed limits whenever the cost of a potential ticket is highest. Just as you would always slow down to the posted limit when entering a school zone (for the safety of the children as well as the higher fines for non-compliance), you may find yourself easing off the accelerator when crossing into a state with excessive costs for first-time offenders.
What’s the most expensive ticket you’ve ever received?
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2 Comments
State of LA., 97 in a 55 (off the beaten path)- officer reduced it
to 79 in 55 because I would not admit I knew the speed at which I
was traveling and the speedometer only went to 80 $183.00
Nice. You have a couple of great points The issue with the law
system is that it doesn't always work effectively. It is a failed
system and needs to be revised.
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