HOW ARE POINTS ASSESSED WITH TRAFFIC TICKETS FOR SPEEDING?

Colorado law enforcement is vigilant about catching drivers who go beyond the speed limit and will issue traffic tickets. The penalties for speeding and various traffic tickets for moving violations makes it important to determine how to combat the allegations and seek a dismissal. These tickets are difficult enough to deal with as there will be a fine to pay, but a bigger problem could be the accumulation of points on a driver’s license. Depending on the number of points accrued and other factors, there could be a driver’s license suspension.

Drivers who are ticketed for speeding will have points placed on their license based on how far over the state speed limit they were going. If they were traveling one to four mph over the reasonable and prudent speed limit or were driving one to four mph beyond the maximum speed of 75 mph, there will be no points. For five to nine mph over the speed limit or that amount beyond 75 mph, there will be one point added to the license.

If a driver goes 10 to 19 mph over the speed limit or that amount beyond 75 mph, there will be four points added to the driver’s license. For 20 to 39 mph beyond the prudent and reasonable speed limit or that number beyond 75 mph, there will be six points added to the driver’s license. Twelve points will be placed on the license for going 40 or more mph beyond the speed limit or beyond the 75-mph maximum. Finally, the road conditions can dictate a prudent and reasonable speed and going beyond it can lead to three points.

Those 17 and under will have their driver’s license suspended if they accrue six or more points in 12 months. Seven or more points when they are under 18 will also warrant a suspension. Those 18 to 21 will be suspended for nine points within 12 months; 12 points within 24 months; or 14 points at any juncture when they are 18 to 21. Adults 21 and older will be suspended for 12 or more points within 12 months or 18 or more points within 24 months.

There might be an impression that it is difficult to lodge an effective defense and have the ticket dismissed. However, there are avenues of defense that can succeed. If the speed measurement was invalid, the officer’s training was lacking or there were protocol violations, that could lead to the ticket being dismissed. Losing driving privileges can be problematic and avoiding points being placed on the license can protect a driver from this outcome. A criminal defense law firm that also handles traffic tickets can help with a case.