Speeding tickets are never fun, yet most drivers get them at one point or another. Maybe you were running late for work, or simply didn’t see the sign indicating the speed limit changed. Whatever the reason, it’s important to understand exactly what a speeding ticket means and how it will affect you. Here’s everything you need to know about Michigan speeding tickets.
What Is Speeding?
When you think of speeding, you probably think of a car zooming down the road at an unreasonably high speed. While that is certainly one aspect of speeding, you can actually receive a speeding ticket for a couple of reasons. Michigan’s speeding laws require you to drive at a:
“careful and prudent speed not greater than nor less than is reasonable and proper, having due regard to the traffic, surface, and width of the highway and of any other condition existing at the time.”
This means that you can be issued a citation both for going too fast, as well as going too slow. For example, if you’re on the freeway and everyone is driving at 55mph but you’re driving at 10mph, you can be issued a citation for driving at a speed “less than is reasonable and proper”.
On the other hand, going too fast can result in a ticket as well. While driving too slow may result in a ticket at the discretion of an officer, driving too fast will result in a citation. Simply put, if the speed limit is 25mph and you drive faster than that, you can be issued a citation. Common Michigan speeding laws are as follows:
- 25 miles per hour in business districts
- 25 miles per hour in residential districts
- 25 miles per hour within the boundaries of a public park
- 55 miles per hour on truck-line and county highways
- 55 miles per hour on gravel highways, and
- 70 miles per hour on limited-access freeways.
These limits will be posted on signs as you enter each area. Pay close attention to these limits as speeding doesn’t just result in tickets, but can also cause deadly accidents.
What Accidents Does Speeding Cause?
Speeding is dangerous. Tickets aren’t handed out to make your government rich, but to discourage speeding because it can result in far deadlier consequences than a fee. Speeding disrupts the flow of traffic, and can cause you to impact another vehicle.
If you’re speeding, you may accidentally rear-end another vehicle that comes to a sudden stop because you haven’t given yourself enough time to slow down. Furthermore, you may accidentally hit the side of a car while changing lanes because you’re moving faster than they expected.
Speeding is reckless and dangerous to you and other motorists on the road and can cause many accidents, resulting in serious injury or even death.
What Are The Consequences Of Speeding?
To help enforce safe driving, the Michigan government has instituted several consequences for speeding, depending on the severity of the infraction. A few of these infractions are as follows.
Tickets
The most common consequence for speeding is a ticket, or citation. The cost of your ticket can vary depending on the speed you were driving. For example, driving 80 in a 35 will be a heavier ticket than driving 45 in a 35.
Points
When you receive a ticket, demerit points are placed on your driving record which will affect your insurance rates and cost you more money until they eventually fall off of your record.
Reckless Driving Conviction
Depending on the circumstances of your infraction, you can potentially receive a “reckless driving” infraction, which is a misdemeanor. Driving at too high of a speed or causing an accident could result in this consequence.
Vehicular Manslaughter
Causing an accident that results in the death of another individual may result in a vehicular manslaughter charge.
How Much Does A Speeding Ticket Cost?
Speeding tickets vary in cost. Depending on where you are in Michigan, you can expect to pay a different amount. Smaller cities typically have different rates than larger cities. However, you can get a general idea of what a speeding ticket costs by looking at these rates in Detroit.
- Speeding 1-5 MPH over the limit: $90
- Speeding 26+ MPH over limit: $155 + $4 per additional mile
As you can see, speeding tickets can quickly add up, costing you a lot of money. To make matters worse, a speeding ticket is only the beginning. Aside from the cost of your ticket, you may also have to pay court costs, bail (if arrested), or fees to get your car out of the impound lot. Speeding tickets can also cost you a lot by raising your insurance.
How Does A Speeding Ticket Affect Your Insurance?
If you break the law by speeding, a ticket isn’t all you have to worry about. Aside from your citation you’ll also receive points that go on your driving record. Your insurance company will look at these points, determine that you’re an unsafe driver with a higher risk of accidents, and raise your premium accordingly.
The more points you accumulate, the higher your insurance rates will be. This can cost you a lot more than a ticket overtime, which is why it’s always important to know what a traffic ticket can really cost.
While speeding tickets aren’t fun, they aren’t the end of the world. If you and or someone you know has received a citation for speeding, consider reaching out to a qualified Michigan traffic court expert. There are professionals who make it their mission to help provide legal representation for those who have received a traffic infraction. This can give you a chance to plead your case to a judge and incur only the minimal penalties for your infraction. Consider reaching out to one of the professionals today.
We Can Help!
At Traffic Buddy, we believe that every individual should have access to legal representation for any traffic-related charges. From tickets to forfeiture of vehicles, we make it our mission to help provide all the facts to help ensure you receive the minimum possible penalties for any alleged infraction. If you need traffic court representation, reach out today!