First Ticket worth fighting for insurance?

[Tornique]

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So I got nipped for not coming to a "complete stop" making a right turn at a traffic light.

Ticket says "Red light - failed to stop" and I figure its just as serious as if I ran right through a red light.

So I was rather concerned and wanted to fight this right away. The thing is Redline says he'll totally fight it for me if I want, but its a waste as I have a clean record, it won't affect my insurance and will be gone in two years. (Thanks for not just taking my money btw, cudo's to Redline)

So now I'm confused. Isn't this a serious ticket that will affect my insurance? Opinions?

 

[FiReSTaRT]

On its own, probably not. But with another ticket or a collision, you'll be feeling it for 3 years (that's right, 3 and not 2). Either DIY or have them handle it.

 

[VifferFun]

This is a minor conviction. Most companies will give you the first one for free (and Jevco will give you the first two for free). State Farm (more the exception) will hit you with a small surcharge (perhaps 10%) on your first conviction.

As Firestart pointed out, minor convictions remain on your record for three years. As long as you keep your nose clean and don't get a second, you should be fine.

 

[PLau]

So I got nipped for not coming to a "complete stop" making a right turn at a traffic light.

Ticket says "Red light - failed to stop" and I figure its just as serious as if I ran right through a red light.

So I was rather concerned and wanted to fight this right away. The thing is Redline says he'll totally fight it for me if I want, but its a waste as I have a clean record, it won't affect my insurance and will be gone in two years. (Thanks for not just taking my money btw, cudo's to Redline)

So now I'm confused. Isn't this a serious ticket that will affect my insurance? Opinions?

Like they've mentioned above, it stays for 3 years. I got my ticket (stop sign) and paid it cause I heard insurance companies don't really care about the first ticket. It was a mistake.. Like many have said, fight every ticket. Right now with 1 ticket, I am paranoid that there is a cop around ever corner so I now make full stops at right turns on red lights (before the line and creep up) and stop signs + stay speed limit in 40 zones and try my best to keep highway riding to a max of 110. As a student (20 yrs old) I really cant afford a 2nd ticket.

If you dont mind the paranoia or dont think you will get caught again, just pay it. If not, fight it.

 

[Baggsy]

Never really been worth it for me. I get nabbed about once every 10 years for something.

If you want or need a spotless record, then you'll have to fight it, and make sure that it doesn't appear that you are rolling through red lights anymore.

Right now with 1 ticket, I am paranoid that there is a cop around ever corner so I now make full stops at right turns on red lights (before the line and creep up) and stop signs + stay speed limit in 40 zones and try my best to keep highway riding to a max of 110.

So, you wouldn't make full stops or drive appropriately, if you didn't have a conviction?

It sounds like you are a better driver for having it.

 

[VifferFun]

Never really been worth it for me. I get nabbed about once every 10 years for something.

If you want or need a spotless record, then you'll have to fight it, and make sure that it doesn't appear that you are rolling through red lights anymore.

So, you wouldn't make full stops or drive appropriately, if you didn't have a conviction?

It sounds like you are a better driver for having it.

I'm the same -- I just got my first minor ticket in years in June and I didn't bother fighting it. I was guilty of 103 in and 80 so I paid it. Although I didn't think that 103 was really worthy of a conviction, the law is the law, I broke it, and I now have to pay the consequence. I'm sure that keeping my record clean for the next three years won't be an issue. It's pretty simple -- if you drive within the law, you don't have to worry about being pulled over. If you "unknowingly" break the law on a frequent basis, then do the world a favour and give the MTO your license back.

 

[FiReSTaRT]

If I do extensive driving, I get nabbed about once a year.. I've been doing 1/3 of my regular mileage over the last couple of years so I've been ticket-free for almost 2 years.. I'd still pay the extra money (or in my case, put in the time to do my homework and prepare my defense) for the peace of mind of having a clean record.

 

[PLau]

Never really been worth it for me. I get nabbed about once every 10 years for something.

If you want or need a spotless record, then you'll have to fight it, and make sure that it doesn't appear that you are rolling through red lights anymore.





So, you wouldn't make full stops or drive appropriately, if you didn't have a conviction?

It sounds like you are a better driver for having it.

Haha I agree I do seem to have developed a better driving habit having this ticket. At the same time, I learned my lesson and learned the reasons for full stops while making right turns on red lights (stopping before the line). To be honest, If I did not have this conviction, I probably would not have been as careful with my speed and full stops.
Speeding was never really an issue with me, its just that sometimes I find myself going 20 over in a 50 zone following traffic. Another important lesson I learned from from this ticket was not to drive angry -_-. I just happened to get a an argument with the gf while driving and didnt come to a full stop at a stop sign while making a right turn on a small street.

 

[Tornique]

Thank you all for the advice. I ended up just paying for the ticket.

It would have cost too much to fight and get cleared completely. Easily I could have gotten the points removed or the ticket reduced, but cleared completely is a $1,600 roll of the dice. If I didn't clear it completely then whats the point as its still a conviction for insurance right?

I'll just have to be extra careful for three years. Oddly enough I though I was careful already

 

[turbodish]

Right now with 1 ticket, I am paranoid that there is a cop around ever corner so I now make full stops at right turns on red lights (before the line and creep up) and stop signs + stay speed limit in 40 zones and try my best to keep highway riding to a max of 110.

And all this is a bad thing?

 

[FiReSTaRT]

$1600? No way.. More like $500. Would have saved the ticket amount plus any potential insurance increase... Now that you have a conviction on your record, you'll have to be extra paranoid for the next 3 years.

 

[Tornique]

$1600? No way.. More like $500. Would have saved the ticket amount plus any potential insurance increase... Now that you have a conviction on your record, you'll have to be extra paranoid for the next 3 years.

As I understood it was $500 bucks to represent and get a reduction. To go to court and fight it completely would cost around $1600 as he charges X per hour.

Reducing the ticket is pointless as its still a conviction for Insurance. The only way to save insurance was to fight it all the way and get it cleared.

 

[VifferFun]

As I understood it was $500 bucks to represent and get a reduction. To go to court and fight it completely would cost around $1600 as he charges X per hour.

Reducing the ticket is pointless as its still a conviction for Insurance. The only way to save insurance was to fight it all the way and get it cleared.

Yes, you are correct -- if it isn't completely cleared, then your insurance will be affected just the same.

Even at $500 it isn't worth it IMO -- the net cost to you is perhaps $350 (i.e. you save the cost of the ticket if you win). Generally, you get the first conviction for free, so if you go three years without an additional ticket then you just lost $350 to a paralegal. Even if you were to pay your first ticket and then get a second, your insurance would only go up by about 10% for TPL, AB, and CL. Supposing a $1500/yr premium, that would only cost you $450 over three years.

Fighting minor convictions isn't worth it IMO unless you are already paying a lot for insurance to begin with and/or have a crappy record that is making you ineligible for standard insurance. MAJOR convictions are a different story . . .

 

[RetroGrouch]

Since you were nabbed in Toronto, very good chance the cop wouldn't show up for a minor offence. Should've asked for a court appearance at the very least.

 

[TorontoBoy]

Haha I agree I do seem to have developed a better driving habit having this ticket. At the same time, I learned my lesson and learned the reasons for full stops while making right turns on red lights (stopping before the line). To be honest, If I did not have this conviction, I probably would not have been as careful with my speed and full stops...

The ticket had its intended purpose and you are a better driver for it.

My son (6 yrs old) and I were almost run over at a traffic intersection by an Asian lady driving a large SUV (Scarborough = bad drivers). She was in too much of a rush to notice the obvious red light and two pedestrians, and wanted to turn right. I came within 6" of her front grill, and could feel the heat of her engine on my arm. She only stopped when I started yelling loudly at her. I was sure she would severely hurt me, as she was going at a fast speed.

I know that most drivers do not stop at red lights or stop signs, but if you kill or maim someone you will never forgive yourself. Do not follow the bad driving habits of others, including a lot of riders on this forum. As basic as it seems, a red light at an intersection means you come to a complete stop. It may be a minor ticket, but the financial consequences of hurting or killing someone also means your insurance will skyrocket, and for 6 years. Habitually you will do what you usually do, and running red lights is a habit you should not pick up.

 

[PLau]

The ticket had its intended purpose and you are a better driver for it.

My son (6 yrs old) and I were almost run over at a traffic intersection by an Asian lady driving a large SUV (Scarborough = bad drivers). She was in too much of a rush to notice the obvious red light and two pedestrians, and wanted to turn right. I came within 6" of her front grill, and could feel the heat of her engine on my arm. She only stopped when I started yelling loudly at her. I was sure she would severely hurt me, as she was going at a fast speed.

I know that most drivers do not stop at red lights or stop signs, but if you kill or maim someone you will never forgive yourself. Do not follow the bad driving habits of others, including a lot of riders on this forum. As basic as it seems, a red light at an intersection means you come to a complete stop. It may be a minor ticket, but the financial consequences of hurting or killing someone also means your insurance will skyrocket, and for 6 years. Habitually you will do what you usually do, and running red lights is a habit you should not pick up.

I never ran a red light before (always made stops even when making a right turn) I just made my stop after the line (before I learned that I was supposed to stop before the line and creep up). + My insurance is already pretty high as I have an at fault single vehicle accident (Skidded on black ice and hit 3 snowbanks (that turned in to ice due to freezing rain).

Breaking rules of the road is something I rarely do now (other than 10km/h over on 50+km/h streets when following traffic). At least... Rules that I know of.

 

[BusaBob]

As I understood it was $500 bucks to represent and get a reduction. To go to court and fight it completely would cost around $1600 as he charges X per hour.

wow, their prices seem to have really gone up. i remember being defended for far less.

 

[Ikan]

I never ran a red light before (always made stops even when making a right turn) I just made my stop after the line (before I learned that I was supposed to stop before the line and creep up). +
Breaking rules of the road is something I rarely do now (other than 10km/h over on 50+km/h streets when following traffic). At least... Rules that I know of.

Just curious, why would you ever think you should stop after the line???? What was the purpose of the line to you? Or did you just never give it any thought?
Knowing the lines on the roads, where to be, where to stop and turn at intersections is driving 101.

Did you never read the driver's handbook or take any lessons before getting your driver's licence. Ignorance of the law is no excuse. But it does kill people on the roadways.

 

[slogan]

Just curious, why would you ever think you should stop after the line???? What was the purpose of the line to you? Or did you just never give it any thought?
Knowing the lines on the roads, where to be, where to stop and turn at intersections is driving 101.

Did you never read the driver's handbook or take any lessons before getting your driver's licence. Ignorance of the law is no excuse. But it does kill people on the roadways.

Mom's talk?!

 

[PLau]

Just curious, why would you ever think you should stop after the line???? What was the purpose of the line to you? Or did you just never give it any thought?
Knowing the lines on the roads, where to be, where to stop and turn at intersections is driving 101.

Did you never read the driver's handbook or take any lessons before getting your driver's licence. Ignorance of the law is no excuse. But it does kill people on the roadways.

Lol it was development of a bad habit and kinda got blurred out of my mind when seeing everyone doing it when I started driving at the age of 16.

Are you saying that you always stop before the line at red lights and stop signs? Do you never pass the line before stopping (assuming you do stop) when making a right turn?

Since most probably you don't make a complete stop(not 3km/h but 0km/h; a full stop) at all your turns and stops, have you given it any thought before acting like a smartass?

+ I am sure you have sped on public roads before. I'm pretty sure that was in the handbook too. Guess you haven't given that any thought.

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