[raquelmister]

Hello all, I come to you with a dilemma. This month is the first month that I am having problems with cops. First I get ticketed for being double parked while making a deposit at the bank then I get ticketed for going 43mph on a 25mph zone. SUCKS!

Now I am faced with a choice. Should I just pay the $104 and take the 4 points on my license? I am 21 living in NJ and have no points on my license. My only concern is that my insurance will sky rocket.

I went to pay the double parking ticket and the lady suggested that I do the no point system. I told her that I didn’t mind having the 4 points on my license because I have none and three points will come out in a year. She tried scaring me telling me that for the insurances only one point comes out a year and that I will be paying a lot in insurance for a long time because I am under 23. She suggested that I do the no point system, which will cost me about $500.

Now, I don’t know if she suggested this because they just want money or if she was right. Can someone please fill me in and make any suggestions as to what I should do.

A friend of mine told me that if I do the no point system that it will be reduced to “reckless driving” and that the insurance companies are harsher on that.

Thank you for your time, I hope to get some insight. I look forward to reading all of your opinions.

[Eazyrock]

What town in Jersey? I know some towns are way stricter then others. You might want to consider getting a lawyer. I always recommend it to anyone that has to deal with any ticket 4 points or higher. When you go to court they'll probably drop it to 2 points and a fine if your on your own.

[Hawkeye]

I know different insurance agencies look at different things. Most only look back on your record about 3 years total and some others look back 6 years.

I know that most companies will give you a first offense for speeding as a freebee, no increase. I got a ticket on my bike doing 73 in a 55 (luckily, I was doing 115 about 5 minutes before I passed him) last summer and my rates have not gone up at all. You don't have to really worry until your second or third moving violation (which doesn't incluse parking violations).

[nmulax]

I thought they didn't apply points for parking violations.
So are the 4 points from your 18mph over ticket? I'd fight them both - argue that you have a clean record, and this was a mistake that you've learned from. Ask for the speeding ticket to be dropped to a lower infraction (like 5-10 over).

[sinnet112]

Getting a lawyer and fighting it may work. FWIW for me, I ended up with 3 points on my license and it took 3 years to get rid of it.

[wrickem]

I'd take the points and sign up for one of AAA's driver improvement programs. If you are a member of AAA, it should be under $100.You'll lose 2 of the points for going and also your insurance company may even cut you a break on your rates for going.