Cars are an indispensable part of many people’s lives — they take us to and from work, for errands and anywhere else that we want to go. However, with driving, especially in heavy-traffic areas like New York, there are risks, including accidents, dangerous situations, traffic violations. And sometimes, some of us go a little bit above the speed limit (all for very important reasons, of course). These such incidents may lead to speeding tickets.
Often, these are incredible nuisances. However, you still must make a choice how to deal with it. There are just three options: you could pay the fine, you could fight the ticket or you could ignore it.
Ignoring it is the worst option to take. Here’s what happens if you ignore or don’t pay your New York speeding ticket:
- Your license may be suspended. If you ignore or don’t pay your ticket, the traffic court will suspend you and, in some courts, the DMV will enter a default conviction for the maximum fine.
- Your insurance rates will likely increase for having a suspension imposed.
- Increased financial obligations. There are set deadlines that, after which, the monies that you owe may increase.
- If you are found guilty of the offense by default (or otherwise), you will receive traffic violation points. These points, which accrue for driving violations, stay on your record for 18 months for DMV purposes.
Ignoring speeding tickets — in New York or anywhere else — is a bad choice with a number of negative outcomes. Instead, if you don’t know what to do about your speeding ticket, you should contact an attorney to represent you in court to fight it.
8 Comments. Leave new
I am a resident of SD. Traveling through NY I received a speeding ticket. My vehicle is plated and insured in Mexico as I am a resident of Mexico. What are the consequences if I ignore paying this ticket upon my return to SD? Thank You.
Ralph,
If you ignore this NY ticket (which we do not recommend), your privilege to drive in New York will be suspended and, then, this suspension sill be honored in almost every other state (until the NY suspension is cleared).
Matthew Weiss
Hello Mister Matthew, my girlfriend got a speed ticket, after that she ignored the ticket, she’s trying to pay this off, however she does not have all the money for this fee, would there be a way to come to an agreement where several payments could be make instead of just one? thank you so much for reading this.
Ronald Cabana,
Your girlfriend should read this article I wrote called “New Law Creates Fine Payment Plans And Allows Judges To Reduce And (Even) Waive Traffic Ticket Fines” and, then, contact the court and inquiry.
Good luck!
Matthew Weiss
Is There Any Way You Can Waive The Fees?
Malik,
In my opinion, the only way to reduce or eliminate fines is by beating the ticket after a hearing or trial.
Matthew Weiss
What if you can’t pay a parking ticket?
Joseph J Healy,
If you do not pay a parking ticket, additional fees can be imposed and your credit rating can be impaired.
Matthew Weiss