No one wants to get saddled with a traffic ticket, but not all tickets are created equal. Some tickets are just plain worse than others in terms of consequences, fines, and points against your license. Here’s a rundown of the worst traffic tickets to get in Atlanta and what to do if you’re pegged for any of these traffic offenses.

Atlanta DUI’s

In Georgia, a DUI ticket will raise your insurance premiums a whopping $812 — just over a 66% increase on the state average.

Speeding

Georgia is one of the strictest states in the nation when it comes to speeding. The max fine for a speeding ticket is $2,000, which is less than only two other states — Virginia and Illinois speeding fines cap out at $2,500. Georgia has Super Speeder laws that tack on an additional $200 to the fine of anyone driving over 75 mph on a two-lane road and anyone driving over 85 mph on a highway or other road.

Aggressive Driving

If you are stopped for aggressive driving, you could incur 6 points against your license in one fell swoop. If you get 15 or more points in a 24-month period, your driver’s license will be suspended. It doesn’t take many 6-point offenses to reach 15, so it’s critical to address a ticket for aggressive driving in court versus just paying the fine.

Unlawful Passing of a School Bus

The unlawful passing of a school bus in Georgia will earn you six points against your driver’s license and a hefty fine. If it’s your first offense, the fine is $300. Second offense fines are $750 and third offense fines are $1,000.

It’s possible that an Atlanta police officer would ticket you for aggressive driving and unlawful passing of a school bus, earning you 12 points against your license. If you were also speeding at the time, your license will be suspended, all arising from a single incident.

Contact the Kimbrel Law Firm Today

Many people make the mistake of thinking they can make a ticket go away by paying it. This certainly isn’t the case; by paying the fine, you’re pleading guilty to the offense — and accepting whatever consequences go with it. Before paying any traffic ticket you’ve been issued, you should consult with an experienced Atlanta traffic ticket attorney. It may be in your best interest to fight the ticket, especially if you already have points against your license.

For more information, call Atlanta Traffic Ticket Lawyer Kimbrel today for a consultation at (770) 349-9219.

Police officers use radar and laser equipment to determine how fast a vehicle is going.

If the radar equipment indicates that a driver is going above the posted speed limit, the officer usually stops the driver and issues them a ticket. Many drivers assume that if a police officer stops them for speeding, they might as well pay the ticket and move on with their life. However, paying a ticket assumes guilt, which is not likely to be in your best interest. Here’s how to fight a radar speeding ticket in Atlanta.

Was the Officer Properly Trained to Use the Equipment?

All officers should be adequately trained to use radar equipment before handling it. However, this is unfortunately not always the case. Overwhelmed officers and a lack of numbers may mean that a newbie officer isn’t trained well enough on how to operate, calibrate, and maintain the equipment.  

If the officer did not complete the required training to use the radar or laser equipment, it may be possible to have your case dismissed entirely on the basis that it’s impossible for the reading to be accurate if the officer was not trained to operate the equipment.

Did the Police Officer Keep Their Equipment Properly Calibrated?

Manufacturers of radar or laser equipment issue instructions on how to properly calibrate it to ensure the accuracy of readings. These instructions usually include how to calibrate it as well as how often. Radar and laser equipment that isn’t calibrated according to the manufacturer’s instructions cannot be verified to be accurate.

Busy law enforcement offices may not calibrate their equipment as often as they should or according to specifications, and one of the first things your traffic ticket attorney will do is ask for the equipment records or logs. If the equipment was not calibrated or maintained properly, this may also result in your case being dismissed.

Don’t Accumulate Points on Your Driver’s License

In Georgia, each ticketable offense is worth a number of “points” that go against your driver’s license. After accumulating a number of points in a specific time period, you’ll have your license suspended. A suspended license can seriously impact your work, social life, and relationships.

Contact an Atlanta Traffic Ticket Lawyer Today

If you’ve been issued a speeding ticket in Atlanta, consult with an attorney before you pay. At the Kimbrel Law Firm, we can help mount a solid defense against radar speeding tickets. Contact us today for a consultation by calling 770-349-9219.