Nobody likes getting speeding tickets. For many Americans, however, paying the ticket won’t break the bank and is an easy way to just “make it go away.” Even for those who want to fight the speeding ticket, many don’t think about hiring a lawyer. After all, wouldn’t it be cheaper to just pay the ticket? In some states, perhaps. But in New York? Definitely not!
How Much Does a Speeding Ticket in NY Really Cost?
The cost of a speeding ticket in New York varies depending on the speed. A NY speeding ticket typically starts at $150 plus a mandatory NYS surcharge of $88-$93. For drivers whose speed is truly excessive – 30 mph over the limit or more – or for those who speed in a work zone or school zone, tickets can range up to $693 (including the surcharge)! That’s nearly $700 not to mention the cost of increased auto insurance, as below.
Then there’s the points that get added onto your license. Each speeding ticket carries at least three points. If you receive six or more points on your license, you win a prize: a driver responsibility assessment (DRA). A DRA of course is not a gift but rather a penalty — $100 per year for the next three years. Each point you accrue after six adds another $25 per year for three years.
That means if this is your second speeding conviction, you could end up spending up over $1,000 for a single ticket between fines and the DRA.
Unfortunately, that’s not even the most expensive part of paying a speeding ticket. The worst comes when your auto insurance provider gets wind of the violation. One speeding ticket can increase your premiums by as much as 21%! With most New Yorkers shelling out between $1,400 and $2,700 annually for auto insurance, even the smallest speeding ticket could result in an additional $294 to $567 per year for three years.
So how much might a single speeding ticket really cost you? It could be close to $1,500 ($150 ticket + $93 surcharge + [$100 DRA x 3 years] + [$294 insurance increase x 3 years]).
How Can Hiring an Attorney Save Money?
There are two possible outcomes that may help you save money in the long run. Either the attorney beats the charges or he/she pleads it down to a non-moving violation. In the first scenario, there are no points or a fine. In the second, the fine is often reduced, there are less points assessed and may ultimately mean there will be no impact your auto insurance. In most cases, hiring a lawyer means you don’t even need to show up to court. And let’s face it, your time is money.
About the Author
Adam H. Rosenblum, Esq. is the principal of The Rosenblum Law Firm. The Rosenblum Law Firm’s skilled criminal defense and traffic violations attorneys have a reputation for aggressive representation for anyone facing criminal charges and traffic violations that may result in jail time, heavy fines, points and license suspension or revocation.
Photo Credit: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/
