SPEEDING INFRACTIONS IN NORTH CAROLINA

In North Carolina, speeding is one of the most common traffic violations. The penalties for speeding include fines and court costs, increased car insurance rates, points on your driving record, and you could even have your driver’s license suspended. Because of the severity of the penalties for speeding in our state, you should consult with an attorney if you have been issued a speeding ticket. How severe the punishment you receive for speeding depends on several factors that include the driver’s past driving record and how far over the speed limit the driver was going when caught by law enforcement. In North Carolina going 15 miles over a posted 55 mph speed limit or driving more than 80 miles per hour could get your license suspended and requires a court appearance. Accruing multiple speeding convictions in one year could also cause your driver’s license to be suspended.

Speeding Ticket Fines and Costs

The Conference of Chief District Court Judges has created a list of traffic violations fines, including which violations carry a mandatory court appearance and which are “waivable” as they do not require a court appearance. Per this document -

• Speeding over a 55 mph limit, but under 80 mph carries a fine of $10 for 0-5 mph over limit plus court costs and fees $15.00 for 6-10 mph over limit, plus court costs and fees $30 for 11-15 mph over limit, plus court costs and fees and possibly license suspension.
• Speeding over the limit but under 55 mph over limit carries a fine of $10 for 0 – 5 mph over limit, plus court costs and fees $15 for 6-10 mph over limit, plus court costs and fees $30 for 11 – 15 mph over limit, plus court costs and fees $50 for 16 mph or more over limit, plus court costs and fees.
• Speeding in a school zone or in a work zone carries a fine of $250 plus court costs and fees.
• Failing to reduce speed to avoid an accident carries a fine of $50 plus court costs and fees (In North Carolina, court costs and fees for any speeding fine are generally between $100 and $200.)

If you plead guilty and/or are convicted of speeding, points will be added to your driving record. Points can become quite costly, as they can increase your insurance rates. In fact, the accrual of just 4 points can raise your auto insurance premiums by more than 80 percent.