Traffic tickets are one of the risks of driving. Anytime a motorist violates the law by driving too fast or failing to use a turn signal, police officers may stop them and issue a citation. More serious traffic offenses might even lead to arrest and criminal charges.
Frequently, drivers accused of traffic violations choose to pay the ticket right away. What they may fail to understand is that paying the fine imposed because of a ticket is the equivalent of entering a guilty plea. A history of traffic infractions can lead to significant consequences for a driver.
What are the potential risks if a driver chooses to pay a ticket instead of fighting it?
Tickets on their record
New York tracks the traffic violations a driver commits. Each offense has a certain number of points attached based on the severity of the violation. If a driver accumulates 11 points or more within 18 months, they are at risk of a driver’s license suspension. They may lose their driving privileges until the number of points declines because one of their older citations comes off of their record.
Increased insurance costs
Insurance providers look at a driver’s record when deciding how much to charge for insurance. Every citation can potentially add hundreds of dollars to a driver’s annual premium costs. In scenarios where drivers have multiple violations on their record, the insurance company might refuse to provide them with coverage after their most recent violation. They may have to pay far more for coverage provided by a company that works with higher-risk drivers.
Career consequences
If a driver has a commercial driver’s license (CDL), citations issued while they are at work or in their own vehicle might affect their eligibility for a (CDL). Even when people don’t drive for a living, traffic tickets could affect their careers if they drive occasionally. Employers may not want to absorb the additional expenses for company insurance when they have an employee with a history of significant traffic infractions.
Fighting a New York traffic ticket can be more cost-effective than just paying a fine. Drivers who understand the consequences of paying a citation might decide that they would prefer to fight a ticket instead.