Red Light

[goldbeard]

I got a ticket for "failing to stop at a steady red signal" tonight. It was 12:30 AM, I was coming home from work and just wanted to get home and go to bed. I was approaching a light at a three-way intersection; it turned yellow; I thought I had enough time to pass through as I wasn't that far from it; I accelerated a bit and as I reached it, it turned red quickly. Of course my luck there's a cop sitting at the light on the road to the left. I look in my rearview and see him pull out and start to follow me but no lights. I thought "Good! I must've made the light." About 100 yards or so down the road he turns on his lights. I pull over and pull out the necessary paperwork. As usual I was very polite and cooperative toward him. He goes back to his car; comes back ten minutes later with a ticket in hand.

A little background...
I'm 35 and live in PA. I had one speeding ticket in the county that this occured about five or so years ago (which was total bs), went to court and pleaded it to 5 over -- received reduced fine and no points. I moved to another county (just over the border of the first county) three years ago. Received a speeding ticket about 18 months ago for doing 15 over (officer had me dead to rights on this one). I took it to court (different court of course) and again pleaded guilty to 5 over -- once again received reduced fine and no points. The court listed on the ticket is a different one from the first one five years ago.

My questions are thus:

1) I've been reading the threads on the boards and see a lot of mention of "disobeying a traffic control device" as having 0 points but $105 fine. (I assume this is not the same as section 3112.A3i "Traffic-Control Signals" since this is what's on my ticket and carries 3 points and a $105.50 fine.) What do you think my chances are of having either the officer or the judge accept this plea? The fine is already $105.50 and that's not what I'm concerned with. I'm concerned with the affect points will have on my insurance premium.

2) If the plea of "disobeying a traffic control device" is not accepted can I ask to have the points dropped if I attend traffic school?

3) If I do end up taking traffic school, can I use the same certificate to reduce insurance (should my insurance company accept the school)?

[Chevy4life1985]

1. I got one in MA. $50 and no points.
2. Yes
3. No your insurance would not be reduced.

[goldbeard]

Thanks "chevy". I appreciate the quick response.

Originally Posted by Chevy4life1985

1. I got one in MA. $50 and no points.
2. Yes
3. No your insurance would not be reduced.

[knorwj]

actually i believe insurance will base their price on the amount of points, therefore lowering points with traffic school will essentially lower insurance as well.

And besides that, most insurance companies give rate reductions if you go to some kind of defensive driving school, I believe mine gives a 10% reduction upon completion of the course.

[Chevy4life1985]

Its only if your under the age of 18.

[knorwj]

Originally Posted by Chevy4life1985

Its only if your under the age of 18.

for what the 10% reduction? I don't think so, the discount lasts for 3 years then if you and take it again your 3 years starts over. Why would it be for 18 and under? there are bad drivers of any age. I mean maybe its different from state to state but I know at least here the defensive driving course = lowered rates.

[Chevy4life1985]

Well in MA thats how it is.

['97ventureowner]

I take the defensive driving course every 3 years just for the 10% reduction on premiums.Next year will be my 8th time taking this course (I feel like I have enough experience to teach this course)Some people I have known that took the course to reduce points on their license also received the 10% reduction on their insurance as well. This is what they do in NY, and probably other states as well. I also think the 10% only applies to certain parts of your insurance, ( comp, collision,) and not others. I remember reading this a few years back in an ad for the program, maybe that has changed over the years to include the whole premium.