February 11, 2025

Nobody wants to see blue lights on the way to their destination, especially when getting there is an urgent matter. Aside from the inconvenience of receiving a speeding ticket, being convicted has several consequences. These include:

Royalty Free Photo

  • Affecting your driving record
  • Ticket and court fee expenses
  • Increasing your insurance rates
  • Possible suspension of your license

Fortunately, there are a couple of ways to reduce the impact of your fine and even erase it entirely. Read on to learn more about your options.

When it Happens

Chances are that you already have a speeding ticket to contend with. Perhaps you just want to be prepared for the future. In any case, the following guidelines can help you next time it happens.

  • Say as little as possible
  • Remain polite and avoid arguing
  • Aim to be unremarkable so that the officer fails to recall the event in court
  • Ask and make note of the method used to determine that you were speeding

Afterwards, write down as much as you can about the incident. Include the date, location and any other details that may have affected the circumstances, such as the absence of speed limit indicators. From here, you can choose between paying the fine, negotiating a lower penalty or fighting the case in court.

Remember that the true cost is often far higher than the number on the ticket. For instance, a 2020 study by NerdWallet found that the average 40-year-old driver can expect a $355 hike in their annual insurance rates for a single fine. If you want to learn more about the penalties for traffic violations, click here.

Negotiating the Penalty

Sometimes, the jurisdiction will consider your request to mitigate the penalty. It saves them the time and money of conducting a hearing in exchange for lowering your fine. You can usually request a mitigation before or during court, but it’s up to them. Check the court’s website or give them a call.

If you admit the offence and provide information that grants you leniency, you can expect one of these outcomes:

  • Your record is unaffected but you pay a percentage(or all) of the ticket
  • You agree to take a driving course instead of paying the fine
  • Your ticket is reduced to a smaller fine
  • You’re given additional time to pay

Fighting in Court

Contending the ticket involves going to court, where the prosecutor will need to prove your guilt. You might get off scot free if the officer doesn’t attend the hearing, but it’s not something to rely on. As you prepare, you can ask to delay the hearing for more time to build your case. This will help you gather evidence and find a lawyer to assist you.

It’s helpful to have physical proof, such as dashcam footage or GPS data, that shows you weren’t speeding. You can also do research on the equipment that was used to track your speed and present its weaknesses to the judge. Calling in witnesses to back you up is another useful measure.

Keep in mind that you may also receive a deferral, which is when you pay the fine and the offence gets removed after a certain period of time. Good luck!