5 Reasons You Should Take A Speeding Ticket Serious In Louisiana

There's nothing worse than seeing red and blue lights in your rearview, except for being pulled over and getting a speeding ticket. How high that ticket would be depends on where you were speeding and how fast you were going. I'll get to that part in a few.

Getting pulled over for anything can be stressful. Your mind starts racing: What was the speed limit? How fast was I going? How much is this going to cost me? Here's some advice: if you're driving in Louisiana, pay it immediately.

The first thing you should do is contact the local government in the parish where you got the ticket. FYI: Louisiana is different from most states in terms of speeding tickets. The state requires YOU to find out when, where, and how you can pay for your ticket. The payment options are not listed on the ticket.

Whatever you do, figure it out and take care of it. Procrastinating is a mistake, and forgetting about it is an even bigger mistake.

WHY SHOULD I TAKE A SPEEDING TICKET SERIOUSLY?

As you may have guessed, speeding tickets are the most common traffic violations in the U.S. While researching speeding statistics in the U.S., Pierre Paul Driving School found that 89% of drivers speed and exceed the speed limits, with the higher percentage being men and teens.

Though not as serious as grand theft auto, a single speeding ticket can do some damage to your driving record. Not going to pay for your ticket? Bad idea. To avoid facing the consequences, here are 5 reasons to take a speeding ticket seriously in the state of Louisiana:

1.) Your Insurance Premium will go up, or it will be harder to get insurance with speeding tickets on your driving record.

2.) Your license can be suspended or with excessive tickets revoked

3.) You can face late fees on top of the original ticket price, higher fines and contempt of court charges

4.) The longer it goes unpaid, the more court costs and fees you will rack up.

5.) A warrant will be issued for your arrest, and you can face jail time

WHAT IS THE AVERAGE COST OF A SPEEDING TICKET IN LOUISIANA?

For driving 1 to 9 mph over the posted speed limit, $115 is charged for speeding. For driving 10 to 14 mph over the posted speed limit, $215. It's $240 for speeding 15-20 mph over the limit. More than $240 for speeding 21 mph over the posted speed limit, the fee will certainly be higher, but there's a good chance you'll take a little ride downtown.

No matter what, your speeding ticket will involve additional costs, such as court costs, which are usually about $165.00 per ticket. The cost will only increase if you have other charges or citations.

Here's the good news: The Louisiana Pre-Trial Diversion (P.T.D.) program allows drivers to pay a speeding ticket quickly and prevents it from appearing on their driving record. Most Parishes in the state offer this option.

HOW TO FIGHT A TICKET AND CLEAR YOUR DRIVING RECORD?

If you want your ticket dismissed, get a Speeding Ticket Lawyer. They are your best bet at winning a case and clearing your record. They often offer free legal consultations and help you better understand your rights and options to resolve traffic violations.

HOW LONG CAN SPEEDING TICKETS EFFECT MY DRIVING RECORD?

Years! Speeding tickets can not only cause your insurance premiums rates to skyrocket 20-30%. Your premiums will stay high and cost you thousands in the long run. Your ticket may stay on your record for 3 to 5 years, depending on your traffic violation's seriousness. Unless you get the help of a traffic ticket lawyer, you may be able to get old tickets expunged from your record.

HOW TO PROTECT YOUR DRIVING RECORD?

The first step in protecting your driving record is to request a copy from the Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles. Make sure the information is accurate, and if you have violations or tickets, pay them as quickly as possible.