NATIONAL MOTORISTS ASSOCIATION
10. Most speed limits are the result of a political compromise. For instance, after too many people ignored the federally imposed 55 miles per hour limit, the local politicians - without any additional studies or measurements - simply picked 65 miles per hour as a good enough increase. Not only there were no additional fatalities, in fact the fatality rate continues to decline - each and every year. That's how arbitrary speed limits are, and that's why you don't start suddenly and automatically endangering yourself or others if you happen to exceed them.
9. Roads segments where normal conditions are adequate for a higher speed than the official limit but where enforcement activity is high are commonly used by many municipalities to generate additional revenue. In fact, under the Massachusetts General Laws many may be illegal.
8. While pleading "responsible" to a traffic citation has been made easier over the years (you can now pay by cash, check or a credit card, in person, over the phone, or on-line), the exact opposite is true for the "not responsible" pleas. (Did you know the Senate just passed a new disincentive? A $20 fee to fight your ticket and another $25 surcharge!) You have a right to a fair hearing when accused of violating a law.
7. As the GEICO Insurance ad says, "everybody makes mistakes." This would include police officers and their equipment, as well as insurance companies...
6. According to Car and Driver, from 1982 to 1992 the average American family spent $8910 on auto insurance, and filed only one claim averaging just under $600. Thanks to million-dollar lobbying on Beacon Hill by the insurance industry led by Commerce Insurance, in addition to the fine, this ticket can easily add another $1500 - 2400 in loss of good driver discount and insurance premium increases over the next six years.
5. By pleading guilty, you are automatically gaining points towards a license suspension.
4. Statistically, with one ticket on your record, next time you are more likely to get another one, instead of just a warning.
3. With a ticket on your record, next time you may not be able to rent a car at the lowest rate or get the job you really want.
2. Thanks to "professional courtesy," police officers, court officials, politicians and all their families do not have to pay their traffic fines.
1. If this was truly about safety, speed limits would be set by experts in the field, insurance companies would reward the safest drivers, and the cops would teach the kids emergency car handling instead of waiting for them to make a mistake.