Have to do traffic school

[y_p_w]

Got a speeding ticket last year. I put off paying for it and frankly couldn't read the officer’s handwriting, where I wasn’t sure what the reporting date/time was. But the citation number was preprinted and I could look that up with the traffic court and found it was 4 months into the future. So I waited until the day before the last day to get it handled. That county’s court has a reduction program where one can plead no contest remotely and a judge can reduce the fine. It was reduced to $121, and I could request traffic school to avoid a point on my driving record for an $82 administrative fee. I wasn’t sure how long I had to pay, but I checked the citation number and the only option was to pay $203, so a judge must have approved it.

This is only the second moving citation I’ve ever had and the first that I wasn’t going to contest. But now I have to go through with traffic school. I looked up what the cheapest option was. One online traffic school charges $19.95, but with enough digging, they’ve got $6.95 and even $5 coupon specials. Seemed a little bit too good to be true, but they’re listed (by website name) with the California DMV as a licensed traffic school and they have excellent reviews. So I’m probably going to do that. Not sure how it’s going to work. I hear that one can do it at one’s own pace and often they allow as many attempts to pass as needed. Probably beats going to a physical traffic school.

 

[atikovi]

It was reduced to $121,

Don't remember the last time I got a speeding ticket but it was well below a 3 figure fine. If it was REDUCED to $121, what was it originally and for how fast? I can imagine well over a hundred if it was reduced to that, but maybe with inflation I'm way off.

 

[Malo83]

Went to traffic school 15 yrs ago for a speeding ticket, was held at the local Best Western hotel, they keep you there the full 8 hrs but it wasn't bad, instructor was great, lots of laughing and kidding around, everybody told there story and we would all critique, time went by pretty quickly as everyone was involved and no long boring speeches.

 

[BISCUT]

Hate to state it but that is your state gov revenue generation machine. You can find the #'s of expected revenue in your state and local budgets. It's expected (and demanded) revenue. All the LE reform and this is never mentioned. Huge cash cow.

 

[Kira]

With so few details, it appears you get some (reduced fine and no insurance premium hike) and they get some (the fine).
If you're perennially suspicious of government, you can add "whoever certified the traffic school also gets bribed".
You're out your time but you've saved a bunch.
Mr. Bemis, your driver's ed teacher, would say, "Don't drive fast next time".

Once upon a time there was a small town. The municipal court realized the state got 75% of speeding fines and the town got 25%.
With communication, the court would knock down a speeding ticket to "illegal parking on a highway", which carried a lower fine.
The town got it all.

IMHO, it's good the towns, the cows and the perpetrators can work together.

As far as the existence of this particular cash cow goes, my Dad always said, "The guy with a car has always been fair game".

To atikovi: Your memories of fine schedules are 20 years out of date. Me? I'm always decades behind prices except food.

 

[y_p_w]

Don't remember the last time I got a speeding ticket but it was well below a 3 figure fine. If it was REDUCED to $121, what was it originally and for how fast? I can imagine well over a hundred if it was reduced to that, but maybe with inflation I'm way off.

It was California Highway Patrol clocking me at maybe 62 at the exit to SFO, where the posted limit was 45. I didn’t really think too much about it. The officer wrote down 55 under the code cite, but did note 62 on the citation. He said it would probably drop the fine a bit. The fine reduction was set by the San Mateo County Superior Court (it’s their program for all traffic citations regardless of who issues the ticket) - from maybe $230 to $121 when I pled no contest.

I’m looking at all this and wondering about paying $5 for online traffic court. It just seems really cheap, but if it works I won’t complain.

 

[atikovi]

$121 for 10 over? I guess California needs all the the revenue it can get. Around here, you have be going 12 over on the speed cameras before they even give out a ticket.

 

[vavavroom]

I just wave my hand when I get pulled over. "You don't need to see my identification. This is not the car you are looking for. I can go about my business. Move along."

 

[Eddie]

Go to the traffic school because it sounds like you really need it because, you are spending more time trying to circumvent doing the right thing. -No kidding. Ed

 

[Kira]

The OP didn't read like he was trying to circumvent; more like sharing descriptions whilst trying to make the best decision between just paying the fine or attending traffic school and reaping the financial benefits.

Online traffic school makes it a no brainer.

 

[99Saturn]

OP - what traffic school is it? I will share I do the American Safety Council course every 3 years online for defensive driving reduction on insurance. Relatively cheap, it was the cheapest one I could find when I first wanted to take it (might even be the one you are talking about for a few bucks). Yes, it is as simple as sitting thru the course, at various times there is some type of "is it really you" check which involves typing in on the keyboard (they check your keystroke cadence) or dialing a live phone number and voice verifying it is you. The course is overall simple and yes perform at your own pace. I think I have done it 3 times already, maybe more.

 

[y_p_w]

$121 for 10 over? I guess California needs all the the revenue it can get. Around here, you have be going 12 over on the speed cameras before they even give out a ticket.

I think technically I was going 17 over, but put down a lower cite speed. He got me with radar. It felt really weird because I've never seen CHP ever be that ticky-tack. I've been in a 55 MPH zone where I saw one cruiser absolutely take off once there was an opening, because the officer thought everyone was going too slow - i.e. right at the speed limit knowing he was there.

Here's the application to reduce the fine. The reduction to $121 applies for any standard fine up to $360. Looks like I have 60 days from the date I sent in

Sign Now

Sign Now Static

app.signnow.com

I suppose the traffic school will ask for my information including the citation number.

 

[y_p_w]

OP - what traffic school is it? I will share I do the American Safety Council course every 3 years online for defensive driving reduction on insurance. Relatively cheap, it was the cheapest one I could find when I first wanted to take it (might even be the one you are talking about for a few bucks). Yes, it is as simple as sitting thru the course, at various times there is some type of "is it really you" check which involves typing in on the keyboard (they check your keystroke cadence) or dialing a live phone number and voice verifying it is you. The course is overall simple and yes perform at your own pace. I think I have done it 3 times already, maybe more.

Trafficschool.com

I have to follow a link to get there (my own bookmark doesn't automatically include the promo code, but that's "5Dollartrafficschool". Seems legit with a state license and decent reviews. They do charge extras but I don't believe those are strictly needed.

 

[BISCUT]

With so few details, it appears you get some (reduced fine and no insurance premium hike) and they get some (the fine).
If you're perennially suspicious of government, you can add "whoever certified the traffic school also gets bribed".
You're out your time but you've saved a bunch.
Mr. Bemis, your driver's ed teacher, would say, "Don't drive fast next time".

Once upon a time there was a small town. The municipal court realized the state got 75% of speeding fines and the town got 25%.
With communication, the court would knock down a speeding ticket to "illegal parking on a highway", which carried a lower fine.
The town got it all.

IMHO, it's good the towns, the cows and the perpetrators can work together.

As far as the existence of this particular cash cow goes, my Dad always said, "The guy with a car has always been fair game".

To atikovi: Your memories of fine schedules are 20 years out of date. Me? I'm always decades behind prices except food.

It's a sham of a system. I can only speak to NY. Seriously ponder on this and how far from the Constitution we've gotten. I get a speeding ticket in NY. Speed turns into a parking infraction. Judge orders me to pay $120 for parking ticket. I avoid the insurance surcharge but I also have to pay a court fee, drug and alcohol fee, town and village court fee, etc... I find it deplorable. Key is I have "agreed" to this and in current law this wouldn't fly if it wasn't the govt. The word duress comes to mind. Albeit financial duress.

This is no different than the nonsense states give for legalizing marij or legalizing online betting or allowing casinos (equity) when in truth it is all about the $$$. Meanwhile these rocket scientists figure XX revenue from marij but fail to recognize their taxing structure is the downfall and the street dealer still gets the majority of the business.

 

[SC Maintenance]

Many years ago my wife got in an accident. The other guy was going way, way over the speed limit (in a construction zone) but the cop wrote her up for something anyway even though he wasn't there and no other witness stopped. I told her take it to court - but she didn't want to. She went to traffic school, but we left the state a couple years later - no choice, job issues in 2008, and the fine popped back on her record because she had to go ticket free for 3 years IN STATE - all for naught - something they didn't make real clear.

A little later I was travelling in Ohio for work in a rental and got busted in a complete speed trap - at night - interstate went from 70 to 55 - sign was well hidden on the outside of a curve, and guess what - the cop was sitting perpendicular to the highway couple hundred yards later. As I was signaling and checking my blind spot to move over a lane for "emergency vehicle" I missed the speed sign - found it when I went looking next day. Wrote me up for 72 in a 55 anyway. Out of state - no class to take - so I paid a lawyer to make it go away - and he did. I plead guilty to a unspecified "non moving" violation. Traffic court and lawyer got their money but the insurance company did not, so sort of a win.

People here drive like complete morons - but the only place you will ever find a traffic cop is sitting at the end of a road that is a complete speed trap - built for purpose.

Entire system is rigged against you.

 

[Cujet]

I go fast and cover many miles per year. Tickets are a regular thing. I've used up all my driving schools and next time will require a lawyer.... It's still worth it. The time saved per year is on the order of two work weeks. Prob retiring soon, so driving will probably drop off to nothing.

 

[Sam_Julier]

How many miles a year do you drive?

 

[PWMDMD]

Twenty years ago I lived in Bridgeport CT and commuted up to Hartford, CT every day for school. Route 8 runs from Bridgeport to Waterbury and it's locally known as "meth ally". Traveling south on 8 as you approach Bridgeport the speed limit drops from 55mph to 40mph for about 1/4 miles and then it returns to 55mph. Other than a sign change, there are no other differences on that stretch of highway. During rush hour, traffic would routinely do +75mph on that road. One night I was going with traffic at 77mph when someone got right on my tail. I sped up to clear the car next to me and move over going around a corner and there was a state cop. He clocked me at 81mph which meant I was more than doubling the posted speed limit which is an automatic endangering public safety charge and arrest. When he saw I had no priors and heard I was a student he gave me a ticket for 79mph which back then was about a $650 ticket on a very tight student budget. That was the last time I did anything beyond 5mph over the posted limit and that was the last ticket I have ever received. Traffic school was not an option back then but it would've been a great option - I think it was 3 points on my license too but I can't remember.

 

[Cujet]

How many miles a year do you drive?

Varies. I work in an East Coast flight department. Moving equipment up and down the East coast is a regular thing for me. Helicotper dolly, power carts, golf carts, tools, aircraft jacks, etc. It really depends on the week's mission. Typically FL to PA, then to NY. 1250-1350 miles each way, 19 hours, one or two fuel stops depending on which F150 I'm driving. Yes, the 2018, 2.7L Ecoboost can go 660 miles on a tank with sufficient reserve to do the trip in one fuel stop in the middle in North Carolina.

During Covid 10K per month. Now it's less.

I'm trying to wind down my career and get ready to retire. So, I'm dong less, thank goodness.

 

[SC Maintenance]

I have a radar detector - was a good one when I bought it. I don't try to speed, but there are lots of speed traps in the south especially in small towns, and since thats where they put factories, I have to drive through all of them. When it fires near a small town - I assume I missed the 30mph sign hidden behind a tree and slow right down. Its saved me a few times.

Good news is small towns all have old Ka band tech - for now at least.