Florida traffic tickets are not only expensive but can also cost you your driver’s license if you get too many in a certain period of time. Additionally, these slips of paper can cause your insurance premiums to go up or cause you to get dropped from your insurance entirely. On the reverse end, having a clean (or mostly clean) driving record actually leads to sizeable discounts on your insurance premiums every year. With that in mind, we thought it would be helpful to provide some tips on how you can avoid Florida traffic tickets. Here’s our top four:
- Know the speed limit: Have a lead foot? Then this tip especially applies to you! The easiest way to avoid a costly speeding ticket is to know the speed limit on the roads you are driving on! Speed limits can change quickly, and so should your speed if you want to avoid a ticket. This is especially true if you are driving near schools, construction zones or residential areas.
- Look for Police: With the expectation of undercover vehicles, you already know what local police and highway patrol cars look like. Make looking out for the very cars that will issue you a ticket part of your driving routine. After all, with the large lights on the top of the car, they are not that hard to miss! Knowing where police cars frequent on the routes you take most often is also helpful. And remember, the Florida Highway Patrol is not restricted to cars—they also use airplanes and motorcycles to catch you breaking the law!
- Stay Up To Date: Did you know that an expired car registration can land you in jail? So can driving with an expired or restricted license. These are tickets that you should avoid completely by staying up to date with your license and registration fees. Be on the lookout for your annual registration requirements and pay them as soon as you get them to avoid this costly issue. If it helps, set a reminder in your phone or personal calendar to make sure you never miss these important deadlines.
- Don’t Bring Extra Attention To Your Car: Tinted windows, spinning rims and cracked windows are all things that make you more noticeable on the road. Sure cosmetic additions such as tinted windows may be a desirable look but is it worth the price of the police always noticing you? If you do decide to make additions to your car, make sure they are legal! And if you have a glaring defect on your car, think about spending the money to fix it.
We hope these simple tips will have you avoid the costly annoyance that is Florida traffic ticket. If you have recently received a traffic ticket, get in touch with the attorneys at Finebloom & Haenel P.A. to discuss your options. We will work hard to limit the effect the ticket has on your driving record and insurance. Give us a call today for a free consultation on your case. We look forward to hearing from you!
