sonusfaber

This was going to happen sooner or later! I got my first ever speeding ticket in the S while going east on the PA turnpike in Montgomery county. A trooper was parked behind an overpass and signalled me to pull over to the side. He said he clocked me doing 79 in a 55 mph zone, and gave me a citation for "Failure to obey posted speed limit" or something to that effect. Went back to his car and 2 minutes later pulled another car over!

The fine was for $104, but he said that he was giving me a break and there would not be any points on my record, which is clean. However, he did stress that if I tried to take this to court and lost, the fine would jump up and I would get hit with 4 points.

My question is, how do I know for sure that if I plead guilty and pay the fine that I would not get any points on my record? I looked at the bottom of the citation and it did note that I was doing 79. Do you get points only if the citation is for "going x miles above speed limit" etc? Also, even if I don't get points on my driving record, would my insurance co. be able to see the citation somehow?

I don't mind just paying the fine, but if I get hit with 4 points then I might reconsider this. Any advice is appreciated, folks!

Heyitsgary

The ticket should have the viotation listed on it. 14-83.3-04, or some other goofy code like that. In Mercer Cty NJ, the common violations are listed on the ticket to check against.

You could probably call the court clerk and find out, or I'm sure that PennDOT has a website to check against. Check here: https://www.dot3.state.pa.us/pdotforms/dl_f...orms/dl-71p.pdf .

I think the term "Failure to obey posted speed limit" is important to remember, or match on the ticket. The PDF referenced doesn't list that one, so perhaps it is 0 points and just a fine. If that's the case, pay and walk.

mikes2k

with Gary if its no points just "pay and shut up" but definitely double check this with an attorney or police officer you know thats knows the code.

beroznikmal

PA turnpike suckss..... for once a fairly decent straight road...very tempting with all those cops......it's like a beutiful river with crocs.....
Since I have so much experience with this, this is what I would do.
Call the court, hopefully you'll get a nice old lady clerk... then ask her if the code is associated with any point.... hopefully not.... if it is go to court....fight those suckers....
Good luck..may the force be with you .............
Beroz

sonusfaber

Thanks for the advice, guys! I check the citation again for a violation code and and the number I saw didn't match any listed in the link that Gary provided. I think I'll follow beroz' suggestion and try calling the court clerk to confirm. Hopefully it's just a fine and no points!

beroznikmal

good luck my friend.... IF all else fails...try posponing the court date till the latest date...you don't gain anything but at least you make them do extra work...............hehehe

Paulieblks2k

I was less worried about the points and more worried about what my insurance company would think. 2 "no points" tickets cost me about $800 a year in insurance. But that is just me.


Paulie

Heyitsgary

Didn't even think of that. I've always associated ZERO points to a non-moving violation. I guess there could be ZERO point moving violations, and your insurance company could be interested in those.

mikes2k

I was always led to believe at least in PA if there was no points it never got reported to the insurance companies.

paS2K

My traffic attorney friend told me that points are not called into the Insurance Co, BUT the insurance company may initiate a check at renewal time... especially if you have a known record of accidents/ claims/ traffic violations. That's the scenario (as well as a chargeable accident or other significant claim) under which your rates jump through the roof I got a 3-point ticket in my newbie S on July 4th 2000 and my Allstate insurance premium did not budge.