Question about speeding tickets

[cmachado]

Ok, so this past Sunday I volunteered to deliver materials for a work presentation to West Virginia. I am a New York resident. I was going 80mph on a 65mph on I-70 West in Maryland and was pulled over.

I explained to the state trooper that I hadn't had more than 6 hours sleep in 3 consecutive nights, had to deliver the materials by 12pm Monday (it was already 6pm when I got pulled over) and had been driving/stuck in traffic since 1pm. Basically, I was honest and told him I was exhausted and was trying to make up some lost time from heavy New Jersey traffic on the Turnpike.

Anyway, he came back and gave me a "Maryland Uniform Complaint and Citation" for $75. But it doesn't state anywhere if it includes points on my license as well.

How exactly does this affect me in the future in terms of insurance. Going to court would be a problem considering I live in New York. What would you guys do?

 

[CMiYC]

Call the court or look for a court-run website for information on what you received and its consequences.

 

[toybox]

When I've got tickets from out-of-state, that are also cooperating states, and paid them right away, that state did not report it to my home state.

In a nutshell, I would just pay it on time and most likely they won't report it to your home state meaning no points on your license.

 

[jlb]

From http://www.statedrivinglaw.com/new-york-driving-law.html & http://www.nydmv.state.ny.us/license.htm#points


"Note: Insurance companies have point systems different from the DMV driver violation point system. The two point systems have no connection. Contact your insurance company about their point system.

Out-of-State Traffic Violations:
Except for Ontario and Quebec, points are not added to your NYS driver record if you commit an out-of-state traffic violation. Under New York driving law, points can appear on your NYS driver record if you commit a traffic violation in Ontario or Quebec."

=======================================

I don't know if this works for out-of-state drivers but it appears that you may be able to take a defensive driving class to prevent the ticket from hitting your driving record. This could be used to prevent the ticket from being reported to your insurance. In addition if you are feeling adventurous you might be able to submit a certificate of completion to your insurance company for a minor discount.

from http://www.dmv.org/md-maryland/defensive-driving.php

"Your Personal Guide to the Maryland DMV
MARYLAND DEFENSIVE DRIVING

Completion of an approved Defensive Driving Course, also known as Traffic School, is a great way to prevent violations from hitting your driving record. DMV.ORG recommends the following schools as the best Defensive Driving course to take online. Attending a defensive driving course can enhance your driving knowledge & skill and increases your awareness and the safety of you, your family and other drivers. If you are enrolling in Defensive Driving for violation dismissal, please check with your court prior to enrolling to ensure the school is approved.

Driving University - Internet Traffic School
Get fast results from a leading national traffic safety school. Do It online at DrivingUniversity.com! Sign up, complete the traffic school course, receive your Certificate of Completion. Finish in one sitting or take your time and log in and out as your schedule permits - it's up to you. Certificates are sent daily - that's our guarantee. Approved in AK, AZ, CA, CO, FL, ID, MO, NV, NM, TX, VA.
I DRIVE SAFELY - Online Traffic School
Take an online traffic school course from a trusted provider. Easy & simple, self-paced, user friendly, and excellent customer service. State approved online traffic school courses offered in CA, CO, DE, FL, ID, MO, NV, NM, TX, VA. If your state is not listed, contact your auto insurance company to see if our standard defensive driving course can get you a discount of up to 10%."

 

[cmachado]

hmm....what if I've already taken a defensive driver's course here in New York? I took it about 2 years ago so I could qualify for a 10% insurance discount.

This is my first ever speeding ticket. I've been driving for 11 years and I want to kick myself in a*s for breaking my own rule. I always tend to follow and move along with traffic. I try to keep in the middle of a fast moving pack so I can diminish my chances of being pointed out if I am going 10 miles over the limit.

This time though, I was so tired and so bent on getting to West Virginia ASAP that I was actually one of two cars going 75+ — leading the "pack." It could have just as easily been the minivan next to me that got pulled over, but unfortunately I was on the left-most lane and the trooper was on the left-most shoulder behind an overpass pilar. I guess I was just an easy target.

 

[cmachado]

well, based on the research I've done online, and one of the posts above, it appears that this speeding ticket will not be reflected on my NY driver's record. So, I'm just going to go ahead and pay the $75 ticket and be done with it.

The only thing I'm not clear on is if my insurance can do an expanded search where they might find out about the Maryland ticket somehow. Hopefully they only check my New York driver's record.

 

[jlb]

The only thing I'm not clear on is if my insurance can do an expanded search where they might find out about the Maryland ticket somehow. Hopefully they only check my New York driver's record.

Depends on the insurance company.