Why you SHOULD go to court for a moving violation in Missouri

Would you say drunk drivers or speeding drivers cause more car crash fatalities each year? You might be surprised!

According to data collected by the Missouri State Highway Patrol over a ten year period,  speeding was the lead offender, consistently causing more traffic fatalities than driving under the influence.  Surprised? http://www.mshp.dps.missouri.gov/MSHPWeb/SAC/crash_data_speed_960grid.html

On the other hand,  the kind of speeding that causes fatalities also can be known as careless and imprudent driving.  In Missouri, if you are caught going 25 mph over the speed limit,  you must show up in court. You may be charged with a Class B misdemeanor and possibly end up in jail.

Missouri wants to put a stop to traffic fatalities due to speeding.  The penalties for having a consistent lead foot are not pretty.  It’s not just about paying for the speeding ticket, either.  If you’re a new resident of Missouri, you need to know that you get three points on your license per speeding violation. If you were super speedy, the news gets worse — more points.

Is your car insurance company on your “gift”  list this holiday season? Your car insurance company will be happy to lighten your wallet if you accrue points for speeding, too.   More points, more money every month for them.  Those points don’t reduce down to zero for three long years  IF you are very good and don’t get any more points on your license during that time. (Watch out for those little towns and the 25 mph speed limits that sneak up on you.)

Speaking of accumulating points for moving traffic violations — you don’t want to mess with Missouri.

Why? Your right to drive — your very means of being a productive citizen — can be taken away from you for a year if you accrue 12 points in 12 months time.  Either you move to the city, take a city job, and always ride public transportation for a year, or you carpool with a compassionate friend, if you’re so lucky.

Rack up too many speeding tickets in an 18 month period and accrue 8 points on your license?  You’re in for 30 days of finding a personal chauffeur because your personal driver’s license will be suspended.

What’s on your to-do list this holiday season? Surely it’s not spending time in traffic court. So many things to do, people to see, and places to go. Even if you are the most careful of speedy drivers, a speeding ticket for breaking the absolute speed limit (posted) by more than 5 miles per hour opens the door for a possible Class C misdemeanor, depending on different factors such as construction zones.

Construction zones are one of the worst areas to speed. You could get fined up to $73 for going less than five miles above the speed limit!  Need more stress? It’s guaranteed  if you gift your loved one with your speeding ticket, no matter the size.       http://www.mshp.dps.missouri.gov/MSHPW

Have some moving violations already? Going to traffic court to plead for a reduction in fines and points is your best bet.  Wouldn’t it make sense to bring an experienced, knowledgeable traffic lawyer with you?

When you call The Law Offices of Nathan A. Steimel, LLC at 636-244-3737, you will get both a traffic attorney who is expert in Missouri traffic laws and a free initial consultation.  So, slow down and make that call today!

http://steimel-law.com/traffic-matters.html

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