Got a speeding ticket...I'm so upset

[phragmipedium]

I'm in Oregon and I don't even know if we have points - but I know I had an ex-boyfriend once who didn't come to a complete stop at a blinking red stoplight (late at night) and was pulled over. His insurance card wasn't on him in the car, so the officer wrote his ticket for lack of insurance instead and told him that if he showed his insurance card proving he was covered at the time, in court on his court date, his fines would be dropped - and they were.

Certainly what he did wasn't okay, and certainly speeding that much through a construction zone is probably a bigger deal than the stoplight issue - so you should look into what your ticket is actually written for and be sure to bring proof of insurance with you to your court date. If you have documentation that you were medicated and your medications didn't have driving warnings, that might not hurt either - though it seems like practically every med mentions driving in the fine print these days.

Anyway, it sounds like you're a normally good driver who is well aware of the dangers of speeding through construction so I won't preach to the choir - we all have moments we wish we could take back, and luckily no one was hurt in your moment. I hope everything works out for you and that you feel better.

 

[IluvKingLouis]

If you have documentation that you were medicated and your medications didn't have driving warnings, that might not hurt either - though it seems like practically every med mentions driving in the fine print these days.

Anyway, it sounds like you're a normally good driver who is well aware of the dangers of speeding through construction so I won't preach to the choir - we all have moments we wish we could take back, and luckily no one was hurt in your moment. I hope everything works out for you and that you feel better.

Thank you for your kind words. I just looked over all my medication and none of them warned against driving. I am a very safe driver which is why this has me so upset.

I know some folks seem to think I'm complaining that I got "caught". That is absolutely not the case. I'm in shock that I did something that is so outside my normal behavior and that's what has me so upset. I'm not trying to blame it on drugs or illness but I can't help but draw a correlation.

Someone mentioned Prayer for Judgment. I can't tell if it's allowed in Colorado but it looks interesting. I would be happy to promise to be on my best behavior for the next 3-5 years as it's been 22 years since my last speeding incident.

 

[DMRick]

I don't know if the below pertains to a work zone or not, but exceeding the speed limit in a work zone also allows the State of New York to hand down a $50 surcharge, in addition to your speeding citation fine. (In New York State, fines are also doubled for speeding in a work zone ) The surcharge amount gathered will fund a special public education program to promote safety in roadwork areas. In our area, a young mom who worked on the road crew was killed by a driver, and these changes came into being shortly after that.

Sorry this happened..both for you and how you are feeling and for what could have happened

I can't help entirely but I will give you what I found on the internet and some hugs
Colorado Point System
Speeding 5 to 9 mph over limit: 1 point
Speeding 10 to 19 mph over limit: 4 points
Speeding: 20 to 39 mph over limit: 8 points
Speeding: 40+ mpg over limit: 12 points

As for the fine, it varies by area and is set by whatever jurisdiction you were in at that time.

 

[dopeyfanatic]

In CA we don't get an amount written on our ticket. It comes in the mail later. And I know people that have been over the speed limit by the same amount and got different fines. CA is wacky...lol. I'm not sure why the boxes weren't marked. I'm guessing it's being left up to the judge.

 

[fakereadhed]

I'm not sure about the fines/points you are looking at in your state, but it wouldn't hurt to get some legal advice. Often lawyers are able to at least get the points waived, which could save you a bundle in insurance over the course of a few years- however long the insurance co. considers you to be higher risk. Wouldn't hurt to talk to someone.

Sorry you got harsh words earlier that weren't deserved. We all make mistakes.

 

[grumpy&princess]

Here in PA you dont always get an amount in your box either. I feel for you on getting a ticket. It is always upsetting to get something like that esp. when its out of the norm for you. Where you doing 41 in a 40 mph work zone or was the work zone 25mph? Couldnt understand you on that. Hope you dont get to much of a fine.

 

[IluvKingLouis]

Sorry you got harsh words earlier that weren't deserved. We all make mistakes.

Thank you!! I've been in tears all night long. I don't think folks understand that I'm truly upset by my actions.

 

[IluvKingLouis]

Here in PA you dont always get an amount in your box either. I feel for you on getting a ticket. It is always upsetting to get something like that esp. when its out of the norm for you. Where you doing 41 in a 40 mph work zone or was the work zone 25mph? Couldnt understand you on that. Hope you dont get to much of a fine.

The normal speed is 40. I retraced the route and the "25" mile sign is very hard to spot in the directtion I was going. It was more prevelant in the other direction.

I'm always so sooo very careful when I see workers out. As I mentioned I often slow down even more so so I can wave at them (yes I"m weird).

This was a day with no workers and I just wasn't in my right frame of mind. I did check all my med bottles and none of them warned against driving. But in retrospect I know I was a bit dopey.

Before you flame on me, I'm saying in retrospect. When do we ever know our mental situation until after a situation like this.

 

[tink2dw]

Get a Lawyer to go to Court With you NOW!!!!

 

[wowsmom]

The normal speed is 40. I retraced the route and the "25" mile sign is very hard to spot in the directtion I was going. It was more prevelant in the other direction.

Is it possible for you to take a photo of the sign, to show that it was hard to see?

 

[Newfie2000]

I don't really have a lot to add that you have not already heard. However... I believe there are some very harsh jusgements being thrown around. Someone mentioned the cell phone issue and that was quickly overlooked but there is so much more than that. If every last one of us were honest and thought carefully and sincerely I would highly doubt that not a one could say that they have not driven while using a cell phone, gone over the speed limit even if only 1 mile, driven after having any kind of drink or taking any kind of medication, taken their eyes off the road however briefly to see what the kids are doing, shout out an order or pick something dropped up, played the music a little too loud so that hearing a siren might be difficult, come to a rolling stop, missed a road sign or posted speed limit, changed lanes or turned without using a signal, cut someone off even unintentionally.... by now you should be seeing the picture. We are human...NOT perfect! You all need to own up to that. OP sounds sincere in her remorse and I believe a very valuable lesson has been learned - we should all be that lucky!

OP, I wonder if it might be helpful for you to try and take some pictures at the spot where the construction speed limit is posted? If it is hard to see or partially obstructed that might go a long way to you benefit. I also kind of wonder if you could not contact the construction team and get proof that noone was working that day? I mean it might be a long shot but then again it might be worth looking into...

Good luck!

 

[cnj]

WOW! I cannot believe some of the replies that you have gotten to your post. to you.

 

[jessica52877]

I am in GA and when you drive through a work zone it says minimum speeding fine $500! I sure hope this isn't the case in your state but you might want to look into it. I am not sure how fines are paid, if you would have to have the money with your or not.

I want to thank you for NEVER driving while talking on the cell phone. DH and DS4 were hit by a driver talking on the phone, she just "didn't see them" and my life has FOREVER changed due to someone thinking that what they had to say was more important then others safety.

And yes, I can say I have NEVER done that! I don't even own a cell phone!

 

[Floridagal23]

No chart on the back? That's how I was always able to figure out how much to send in for DH's occasional ticket years ago. Usually, its there as a convenience for folks opting to plead guilty from the start.

Again, call the police department of the issuing officer (be it state or local, depending on who wrote the citation...look for a phone number on the ticket) and someone there can help you interpret everything.

For the future, you really should keep the insurance card in the car along with the current registration. This way, whoever is driving the car has access to those documents which are required for any traffic stop.

FYI, some counties will have the court assess your fine and that is not why it is on the ticket. BF got pulled over for speeding and his ticket just had a slash by the fine info and when he mailed in the ticket (we live a few counties away), it came back with the fine info.

Just be aware that you might get hit up with a state fine as well if a certain number of points are assessed. Here in NY, you get hit up with a 300 dollar safe driving fee in addition to whatever fine you are assessed by the county. Nice, right? Ugh. These things happen - just speak honestly and respectfully to the judge, explain that you had switched purses that morning and didn't realize you left your insurance info in the old one, and that this is the first time you have been stopped in 20 years.

 

[luvmy2sams]

I second the advice to go back and take a picture of the hard-to-see sign. It might not be needed, but it won't hurt to have as additional evidence.

Sorry for some of the responses you've received on this thread. Nothing like a DIS-lecture or two to brighten your day!

 

[happygirl]

If you have to go to court, that means the judge will set your fine, I personally I would go in tell the judge yes you were speeding, don't make it a poor me story, don't tell the judge your life story, just admit and you made a mistake simple as that

 

[java]

As the daughter of a lawyer I say get a lawyer. In traffic court the people with Lawyers are the ones that get off or at least get lower fines. Talk to one and see if you can get him to help you. It may not be cheaper than the fine but it could save you POINTS which will kill your insurance.
A lawyer could find out if this is a speed trap area- if the sign wasn't prominent enough ect...
The reason I am leaning towards lawyer is that here in NJ in a construction zone if you speed they SLAM you with points and double fines. A lawyer might also be able to prove that there was nobody at work in the zone at the time.

All that being said, quite frankly, the reason most tickets get thrown out with the help of lawyers are mistakes on the tickets. If a ticket is not written to the letter of the law it gets thrown out. Silly mistakes - like wrong date, wrong license plate number, incorrect code violations ect.

Good luck and everyone makes a mistake. Now you have to man up and defend yourself. You are not a monster you made a mistake. Really who hasn't speeded? On our local highway the speed limit is 65. I go around 70 and cars and 18 wheelers are flying by me- and I mean FLYING like 90+ miles an hour. So you are not alone.

 

[MSSANDRA]

Get a Lawyer to go to Court With you NOW!!!!

I agree. At least call your insurance agent and ask their advice. 20 years ago I got a simple speeding ticket and just paid it off. our insurance went so high. our agent said to always call him and he would advise us as the best way to handle to avoid the huge increase.

Sorry this happened. I am sure we all have driven tired or sick!!

 

[plummer925]

The normal speed is 40. I retraced the route and the "25" mile sign is very hard to spot in the directtion I was going. It was more prevelant in the other direction.

I'm always so sooo very careful when I see workers out. As I mentioned I often slow down even more so so I can wave at them (yes I"m weird).

This was a day with no workers and I just wasn't in my right frame of mind. I did check all my med bottles and none of them warned against driving. But in retrospect I know I was a bit dopey.

Before you flame on me, I'm saying in retrospect. When do we ever know our mental situation until after a situation like this.

I had a friend in a VERY similar situation. TAKE A PHOTO OF THE SIGNS and bring them to court with you. That's what he did - it got thrown out for him (as well as for the other 8!!! people sitting there for the SAME thing!)

Here in Maine you have 24 hours to show proof of license. You can show proof of insurance at the court. I'd give the clerk of courts (at your courthouse) a call to see how long you have to proove the insurance.

Good luck with everything!

 

[Bibbidi]

Okay I think its just a warning, they would have had an amount to pay on it if it was a fine ticket, I think, I've never had a ticket so I'm not sure, but dh just got one for the stupid light being out over the licence place (who checks that daily???) and it had the amount he had to pay on the ticket. My dad is one of those workers on the road, we all make mistakes. I'm sure it wont happen again with you, you sound really shook up.

Here in Ohio you are not given a fee on the ticket itself--you have to call to find out what the fine is. So, just because it doesn't have a fine amount listed doesn't mean that it's just a warning.