The effects of a traffic citation go far beyond simply the fine listed on the ticket. If you have been cited for a violation in New York, it is important that you understand the number of ways that the charge will affect you.
According to the Institute for Traffic Safety Management and Research, there were 3,548,507 tickets for traffic violations issued in New York in 2012, the most recent year for which the data is available.
The cost of a speeding ticket, for example, will actually depend on where you received it and additional factors, such as:
- How many points you have on your license
- If you are driving with a revoked license
- Any civil penalties that may apply
However, the costs do not end there. A traffic ticket can have a significant impact on your automobile insurance premium. A report from Bankrate found that a DUI charge can almost double your premium, increasing it at an average of 93 percent. Even a speeding ticket can up your rate by as much as 30 percent.
The consequences of a ticket do not end there. The New York Department of Motor Vehicles will assign points to your license based on the offense. Those points can add up to fines. If you acquire six points over a period of 18 months, you will have to pay $100 a year for three years. Additionally, if you get 11 points over 18 months, your license may be suspended or revoked.
With so many negative consequences to a ticket, many people choose to fight the charges. Hiring an attorney could help to get a charge reduced or even dismissed.
While this information may be useful, it should not be taken as legal advice.