The average person doesn’t think of themselves as a criminal, but many people break the law every day without even realizing it. Some drivers don’t think twice about intentionally driving at a speed higher than the posted limit in an area.
Speeding is one of the most common criminal offenses in New Jersey. When the only perceived consequence of speeding is the relatively low risk of getting pulled over, it isn’t much of a deterrent.
People who speed generally don’t mean any harm
Drivers generally think of speeding as a victimless crime. In reality, the person speeding is their own victim. They increase their chances of getting into a crash and the likelihood of someone dying in that crash when they drive at unsafe speeds. They also run the risk of enforcement efforts, including tickets.
Many drivers issued a speeding ticket will just pay the ticket, but fighting back might be a smarter move because that ticket will affect what you pay for your insurance.
What do tickets mean for your insurance costs?
The average driver in New Jersey currently pays $1,757 for a year of liability coverage. When you have a speeding ticket on your record, what you pay for insurance will significantly increase. You will pay roughly 35% more, an increase of $620 each year.
Although the fines for speeding tickets could be as low as $85, the increase in insurance costs makes that ticket more expensive. When you defend against the ticket, you do have to make a financial investment, but you potentially protect yourself from hundreds of dollars of expenses every year for several years.
Knowing the real consequences of a recent traffic ticket can help you decide better what to do.