Jane Dotson
In the state of Georgia, traffic violations are governed by the Georgia Uniform Rules of the Road, which includes a point system ranging from 2 to 6 points for various offences. One such violation, Ga Code 40-6-18, pertains to speeding and carries a penalty of points added to a driver's license, fines, and potential license suspension. The accumulation of points can also impact insurance rates, with insurance companies conducting random checks of their customers' driving records. This article will explore the specific consequences of violating Ga Code 40-6-18 in terms of points, insurance implications, and potential mitigation strategies.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Violation code | 40-6-181 |
| Violation type | Speeding |
| Points | 2 |
| Fine | Depends on the speed limit exceeded |
| Insurance impact | May increase |
| License impact | Accumulated points may lead to suspension |
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What You'll Learn
A violation will result in fines and 2 points on your license
In the state of Georgia, a violation of the speeding limit will result in fines and 2 points added to your license. The Georgia Point System ranges from 2 to 6 points, and a driver with 15 points in a 24-month period will have their license suspended. These points can increase insurance rates and may lead to license suspension if accumulated.
The number of points added to your license depends on how far over the speed limit you were driving. For example, driving 5-10 mph over the speed limit will result in a $30 fine and no points, while driving 11-18 mph over the limit will result in a higher fine of $89 and 0-2 points. In the case of driving 15-18 mph over the posted limit, it is considered a 2-point violation.
If you receive a speeding ticket, you may be able to avoid points on your license by requesting a court hearing or consulting with a legal professional. In court, you can ask the solicitor to reduce your speed to below 14 mph over the limit, which would result in no points and just a fine. This approach can help prevent the ticket from being submitted to the state and picked up by your insurance company, potentially saving you money on your insurance premiums.
It is important to keep track of payment deadlines to avoid additional penalties. Additionally, most insurance companies perform random checks of their customers' driving records, and they have the discretion to decide on any increase in insurance premiums based on that information.
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Accumulated points may lead to license suspension
Accumulated points may lead to a license suspension. The number of points and the time frame within which they are accumulated determine the duration of the suspension. For instance, in California, a driver's license may be suspended if they accumulate more than 6 points in a 24-month period or 8 points in a 36-month period.
Similarly, in New York, accumulating 11 points in 18 months may result in a license suspension. In Florida, accumulating too many points within a set time frame will result in a license suspension, and the driver may apply for a hardship license.
In Georgia, a driver's license will be suspended if they accumulate 15 points in a 24-month period. Licensed Georgia residents may request a reduction in points, and up to 7 points can be reduced once every 5 years.
It is important to note that the accumulation of points can have significant consequences on a driver's license status and driving privileges. The specific rules and thresholds for license suspension vary by state, and drivers should be aware of the point system and its potential impact on their driving record and license status.
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Points can increase insurance rates
While it is unclear how violation code 40-6-18 affects points and insurance in Georgia, getting points on your license can almost always result in an increase in auto insurance rates. However, the extent of the increase depends on how insurers weigh the violation, not just the number of points. For example, in California, disobeying a traffic control signal—a one-point violation—caused rates to increase by 20.2%, while speeding—also a one-point violation—resulted in a 25.6% rate increase.
In Florida, three points on a driver's license can increase car insurance rates by up to 23%, or $658 per year. Meanwhile, four points can increase rates by up to 44%, or $1,281 per year. Additionally, a driver with two points on their license for reckless driving in California saw their insurance costs nearly triple (a 180% increase), while a driver with the same violation in Florida—worth four points—only saw a 44.5% increase.
The impact of points on insurance rates also depends on the state's point system and the insurer's evaluation of driving violations. In most states, insurers independently determine rate increases after a traffic violation conviction. However, North Carolina is an exception, with its Safe Driver Incentive Plan (SDIP) dictating set rate increases for points and at-fault accidents.
While points can increase insurance rates, there are ways to mitigate this impact. In some states, defensive driving classes can help reduce points and may even result in insurance discounts. Additionally, improving your credit score may lower insurance rates, as carriers typically view drivers with poor credit as riskier to insure.
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Insurance companies may randomly check customer's driving records
Insurance companies may randomly check their customers' driving records. They do this to assess the risk associated with insuring them. While some insurance companies may deny coverage to high-risk drivers, others may raise rates following a conviction. The specific methods of checking driving records may vary among insurance companies, but common practices include electronic data exchange with the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), requesting driving record reports, and utilizing specialized databases.
Insurance companies typically ask for a driver's license number to check their driving record through the DMV. They will likely ask for this information when a customer requests a quote online or when they buy a policy. Insurance companies will also check for a history of speeding tickets, at-fault accidents, and DUI/DWIs. Driving behaviours like these increase a driver's risk, which leads to higher insurance rates. DUI charges stay on a driving record the longest, in some states for up to ten years.
Insurance companies will not check a customer's driving record on a whim. They only check a customer's driving history when necessary, primarily when a customer requests a quote for a new policy or renews an existing policy every six or twelve months. When a customer gets a quote, an insurance company may choose to deny them coverage if they are deemed too high-risk. While this may seem unfair, insurance companies are not in the business of losing money.
Insurance companies may also use centralized bureaus like LexisNexis to obtain driving records. A DMV report will only show incidents reported to the DMV, whereas a LexisNexis report will list claims going back seven years.
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A court may reduce the speed to 14 mph over the limit, resulting in no points
In Georgia, speeding points are based on the amount over the posted speed limit. Between 15-18 miles over the posted limit is a 2-point violation. However, if you go to court and ask the solicitor, they may agree to reduce your speed to 14 mph over the limit, resulting in zero points. This will prevent the ticket from being submitted to the state and subsequently picked up by your insurance company, saving you money on your insurance premiums.
For example, if you were caught driving 52 mph in a 35 mph zone, you would receive a 2-point violation on your license. However, if you ask the prosecutor to reduce your speed to 49 mph in a 35 mph zone (14 mph over the limit), you will only have to pay a fine, and there will be no points added to your license. This is because, in Georgia, there are no points deducted if you are less than 15 mph over the speed limit.
It is worth noting that insurance companies may still conduct random checks of their customers' driving records, and it is up to them to decide on any increase in insurance premiums based on these checks. Therefore, even if the ticket is not submitted to the state, your insurance company may still become aware of the violation through a random check.
While some people suggest paying the ticket and moving on, especially if it is your first offense, others recommend appearing in court to request a reduction in speed to avoid points and insurance implications. It is important to consider the potential time and cost associated with going to court and the possibility of losing and incurring additional court costs.
If you are unable to convince the prosecutor to reduce the speed, you may consider retaining a local attorney who regularly practices in that court. An experienced attorney may be able to resolve these types of cases favorably.
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Frequently asked questions
The Georgia Point System ranges from 2 to 6 points. A driver with 15 points in a 24-month period will have their license suspended.
Speeding points are based on the amount over the posted speed limit. Between 15-18 miles over the posted limit is a 2-point violation.
Ask the prosecutor to reduce the speed to below 14 miles per hour over the speed limit. This will mean you just pay a fine and avoid points and insurance increases.
