The Ten States With The Toughest Tickets

[StlouisX50]

The Most Expensive States For Speeding Tickets
Tom Van Riper, 12.11.06, 10:00 AM ET

Taking a road trip home for the holidays this year? Be sure to go easy on the gas pedal, particularly if your travels take you up or down the East Coast.

According to the stats from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the I-95 corridor between the deep southeast and New England includes four of the ten U.S. states carrying the highest fines for speeding--Georgia, North Carolina, Maryland and New Hampshire. All hit up speeders for a maximum of $500 or more for a first offense. Judges in Carolina and Georgia, not to mention 16 other states, have the discretion to add jail time.

The national median for a first offender's top-end fine is $200, according to the NHTSA. And even states with lower standard fines sometimes have exceptions. Connecticut, for example, generally caps fines for first-time speeders at $50, though exceeding 70 miles per hour on a "multiple lane, limited access highway" will usually bring double or triple that amount. In Massachusetts, anyone caught going more than 10 miles per hour above the limit is socked for $10 for every additional mile, over and above the state's $50 minimum.
In Pictures: The Ten States With The Toughest Tickets

And be on the lookout in financially strapped rural areas and beach towns thick with tourists. Both are notorious for raising revenue by sticking lots of people with speeding tickets.

Getting stopped by a police officer for speeding doesn't necessarily mean you'll get written up. Those with the skill and know-how to talk or act their way out of a ticket have saved themselves a lot of money over the years. Rule number one, of course, is being polite to the officer. No need to antagonize someone who's in a position to set you back hundreds of dollars.

"The guy has a gun, badge, Billy club and a ticket book, so be nice to him," advises Alex Carrol, author of the book Beat the Cops, which offers tips on getting out of tickets. Others include little things like removing sunglasses, turning off the stereo and pulling over far enough so that the officer isn't practically standing in the passing traffic while he quizzes you at the driver's side window. A little consideration can go a long way.

Also, Carrol points out, don't ever volunteer information. Wait for the officer to tell you why he pulled you over. Launching into an immediate apology for speeding can bring an extra charge if the officer had initially stopped you for a faulty tail light.

How hard a speeding ticket hits you in the wallet can vary according to several factors, including how fast over the limit you were going, no matter where in the country you're caught. Is it your first offense, or are you a multiple offender? Half the states in the U.S. use a "points" system to measure drivers' moving violation history. Piling them up increases both fines and insurance rates. Also, were you caught zipping too fast through a school zone or construction area? If so, expect to pay as much as double the normal fine in some states, thanks in part to targeted efforts by the Governors Highway Safety Association.

"We're recommending enforcement in certain areas, like school zones and work zones. The idea is to go after the worst offenders first," says Jonathan Atkins, an Association spokesman.

Not surprisingly, young males are nabbed for speeding more than anyone else, NHTSA figures show, with 38% of men under 21 caught in the act last year. In fact, it's not until you reach the men's 35 to 44 age group that the number of speeding incidents comes in below that for 15- to 20-year-old women.

When it comes to trying to get out of a ticket, some people really know how to get creative. Carrol relays a story of woman who carries a camera in her car, purely as a prop to show cops as she tells them she's rushing to the hospital to meet her pregnant sister, for whom she promised to take pictures during delivery. Then there's the guy who always drives around with a full water bottle at the ready. Anytime he's pulled over, he pours a little out onto his lap, and then tells the approaching officer he's been trying to rush home ahead of a bladder emergency.

"He always gets out of tickets," Carrol says.

The following ten U.S. states carry the highest maximum penalties for first-time speeding violations, according to data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Georgia

Maximum fine for first speeding ticket: $1,000

A jail sentence of up to a year is also possible. And a more serious reckless driving conviction brings a mandatory six-month license revocation for a first offense.

Illinois

Maximum fine for first speeding ticket: $1,000

The maximum speed on four-lane highways is 65 mph, though only for vehicles built for ten or fewer people. Big trucks are limited to 55 mph. One of 25 states to use a point system to determine license suspensions and revocations.

Nevada

Maximum fine for first speeding ticket: $1,000

Gambling often doesn't pay. Nevada is also a point system state--and too many points can bring a license suspension of six months to a year. For speeders who've racked up the points, there's a maximum six-month jail sentence on the books, along with the fine.


New Hampshire

Maximum fine for first speeding ticket: $1,000

Live free or die? Not behind the wheel. A state statute says drivers can get a ticket for not staying 10 mph below stated speed limits in school zones.




North Carolina

Maximum fine for first speeding ticket: $1,000

Speeders in the Tar Heel State can be jailed up to 60 days; a school bus with children aboard is limited to 45 mph.

Utah

Speed limits have been raised to 75 mph in some areas, but fines are big. Drivers can be ticketed for going so slow as to "impede or block the normal and reasonable movement of traffic."


Oregon

Maximum fine for first speeding ticket: $600

Fines are high, but you've got to really work at losing a license. The state generally waits for numerous traffic violations before issuing suspensions.


Indiana

Maximum fine for first speeding ticket: $500

Fines double for speeding in a school zone; they're bumped an extra $25 if it's near a construction site. "Oversize vehicles" can't go over 45 mph. Plus, Indiana is the only state other than New Jersey and Nebraska to impose tolls along Interstate 80.


Kansas

Maximum fine for first speeding ticket: $500

In an urban school district zone, the speed limit still cannot be less than 20 mph.


Maryland

Maximum fine for first speeding ticket: $500

Another state serious about its school zones--fines double for speeders. No word on whether Wal-Mart executives are charged even more.

[kpatz]

Is there a link to the original article or more info? I'm curious about this:

New Hampshire

Maximum fine for first speeding ticket: $1,000

Live free or die? Not behind the wheel. A state statute says drivers can get a ticket for not staying 10 mph below stated speed limits in school zones.

10 mph BELOW stated speed limits in school zones? I hope that's a typo. That would mean you could get a ticket for going over 15 in a 25 mph school zone? That doesn't sound right...

[StlouisX50]

http://www.forbes.com/logistics/2006...1speeding.html

[jimbonzzz]

Indiana

Maximum fine for first speeding ticket: $500

Fines double for speeding in a school zone; they're bumped an extra $25 if it's near a construction site. "Oversize vehicles" can't go over 45 mph. Plus, Indiana is the only state other than New Jersey and Nebraska to impose tolls along Interstate 80.

That tolls thing doesn't sound right either. I pay tolls to drive on I-80 every time I go to down to Ohio to test with happya$$ over by Cleveland.

Makes you wonder if any of the info in the article is correct, or if the author just pulled some it out of his a$$...

[kpatz]

Ok, I found the NH state statute:

Speed Limitations
Section 265:60
265:60 Basic Rule and Maximum Limits. –
I. No person shall drive a vehicle on a way at a speed greater than is reasonable and prudent under the conditions and having regard to the actual and potential hazards then existing. In every event speed shall be so controlled as may be necessary to avoid colliding with any person, vehicle, or other conveyance on or entering the way in compliance with legal requirements and the duty of all persons to use due care.
II. Where no hazard exists that requires lower speed for compliance with RSA 265:60, I, the speed of any vehicle not in excess of the limit specified in this section or established as hereinafter authorized shall be prima facie lawful, but any speed in excess of the limit specified in this section or established as hereinafter authorized shall be prima facie evidence that the speed is not reasonable or prudent and that it is unlawful:
(a) In a posted school zone, at a speed of 10 miles per hour below the usual posted limit from 45 minutes prior to each school opening until each school opening and from each school closing until 45 minutes after each school closing.
(b) 30 miles per hour in any business or urban residence district as defined in RSA 259:118;
(c) 35 miles per hour in any rural residence district as defined in RSA 259:93, and on any class V highway outside the compact part of any city or town as defined in RSA 229:5, IV;
(d) 55 miles per hour in other locations, except as provided in (e);
(e) 65 miles an hour on the interstate system, the central New Hampshire turnpike and the eastern New Hampshire turnpike in locations where said highways are 4-lane divided highways or other divided highways of 4 or more lanes.
(f) On a portion of a highway where officers or employees of the agency having jurisdiction of the same, or any contractor of the agency or their employees, are at work on the roadway or so close thereto as to be endangered by passing traffic, at a speed of 10 miles per hour below the usual posted limit, but in no case greater than 45 miles per hour. The speed shall be displayed on signs as required by RSA 265:6-a.

Section 2(a) (bolded) is the relevant one here. They appear to be referring to the usual posted limit (i.e. when school is not in session). So, if the road is posted at 35, the limit is 25 during school opening/closing in the school zones.

Also, section 2(f) (italicized) is interesting. It seems to relate to construction zones. Maximum speed in a construction zone is either 10 mph below the normal PSL or 45 mph, whichever is lower, and signs must be posted. I rarely see updated speed limit signs in construction zones. I wonder if that could be used to fight a ticket if someone got one. Also, it would seem, as written, that the limit would be 45 or 10 under if there's a LEO parked in the breakdown lane. I'm sure anyone who got that ticket would fight it.

[maxima lover]

Also, section 2(f) (italicized) is interesting. It seems to relate to construction zones. Maximum speed in a construction zone is either 10 mph below the normal PSL or 45 mph, whichever is lower, and signs must be posted. I rarely see updated speed limit signs in construction zones. I wonder if that could be used to fight a ticket if someone got one. Also, it would seem, as written, that the limit would be 45 or 10 under if there's a LEO parked in the breakdown lane. I'm sure anyone who got that ticket would fight it.

Yes, you would get off. The prosecutor has to prove every part of the statute and if no signs were posted, you have your defense. Here they have speed limit signs for construction everywhere.

[ELVATO]

Maryland

Maximum fine for first speeding ticket: $500

Another state serious about its school zones--fines double for speeders. No word on whether Wal-Mart executives are charged even more.

I dont get it. Wal-Mart executives?

[rclark]

Illinois

Maximum fine for first speeding ticket: $1,000

The maximum speed on four-lane highways is 65 mph, though only for vehicles built for ten or fewer people. Big trucks are limited to 55 mph. One of 25 states to use a point system to determine license suspensions and revocations.

IL dosent use the point system....PA does though

[twood]

Georgia

Maximum fine for first speeding ticket: $1,000

From OCGA 40-6-1:
http://www.legis.ga.gov/legis/GaCode...e=40&chapter=6

Unless a different maximum fine or greater minimum fine is specifically provided in this chapter for a particular violation, the maximum fine which may be imposed as punishment for a first offense of violating any lawful speed limit established by or pursuant to the provisions of Article 9 of this chapter by exceeding a maximum lawful speed limit:
(1) By five miles per hour or less shall be no dollars;
(2) By more than five but not more than ten miles per hour shall not exceed $25.00;
(3) By more than ten but not more than 14 miles per hour shall not exceed $100.00;
(4) By more than 14 but less than 19 miles per hour shall not exceed $125.00;
(5) By 19 or more but less than 24 miles per hour shall not exceed $150.00; or
(6) By 24 or more but less than 34 miles per hour shall not exceed $500.00.

Of course there are junk fees added in, but nothing that would make it $1000. The only way I could see it being that high were if the ticket was for more than 34 mph over or a DUI. In either of those cases, you would likely be arrested and taken before a judge.

[kpatz]

(6) By 24 or more but less than 34 miles per hour shall not exceed $500.00.

Maybe they get $1000 from doubled fines in construction zones...