Rules of the road are most important when you begin driving in the United States. There are many laws associated with driving, in the US, these laws are different from one state to another. One such law is speed limits, which happens to be the most important one.
Since laws vary from one state to another, they have their own set of speed limits. When you get your driving license in the US, you must be aware of these laws. The most common traffic tickets are for speeding, so it’s important to educate yourself on obeying speed limits.
The speed limits can be found on the white signs on the side of a highway or a road. The default limit on rural two-lane roads is 55 mph unless the sign is posted stating otherwise. These limits can differ based on your location.
Speeding Laws in Indiana
Speeding Fines
The first offense for speeding in a work zone can attract you a fine of $300. If the act is repeated and caught, you are liable to pay a $1000 speeding ticket fine.
If you are caught intentionally speeding up near a school bus you have to pay a fine of a maximum of $500 and up to 60 days of jail time.
Driver’s License Points System
For repeated offenses, Indiana uses a points system, for speeding and other violations. The more points result in more severe punishment. Points stay on your record for 2 years. If you receive 12 points in 2 year period, it results in you be placed on probation. During probation, if any tickets are received, your license will be suspended.
| Violation | Points |
|---|---|
| 1 – 15 mph over the speed limit | 2 point violation |
| 16 – 25 mph over the speed limit | 4 point violation |
| 26+ mph over the speed limit | 6 point violation |
| Failure to use headlights | 2 point violation |
| No brake or signal lights | 2 point violation |
| Disregard stop/yield sign | 4 point violation |
| Fail to yield to moving emergency vehicle | 6 point violation |
| Improper U-turn | 4 point violation |
| Following too closely | 6 point violation |
| Unsafe lane movement | 4 point violation |
| Failure to yield | 4 point violation |
| Speed contest on road | 8 point violation |
| Improper motorcycle headgear | 4 point violation |
| Improper motorcycle passenger | 4 point violation |
| Driving while suspended | 8 point violation |
Got a speeding ticket, what now?
After pulling over, if the officer feels that you were speeding, he will issue you a ticket. A paper ticket, also known as a citation, will be given to you, where you were pulled over. Now you have to follow a proper procedure so that you don’t face any harsh consequences.
Potential consequences include:
- Car insurance rates might increase.
- Requirements of traffic court.
- Action against your driving license.
- Defensive driving classes or mandatory driving school.
What Options you have after receiving a speeding ticket?
Mainly there are two options, either pay the fine on a scheduled due date or fight the ticket in court.
- If you fight the ticket and are not declared guilty, no fines will be charged and you will avoid all the penalties that came with it.
- If you fight the ticket and are found guilty, driver’s license points will be added to your driving record.
- If you want to pay the fine, pay it on time. Otherwise, you will attract interest on fine, if failed to pay on time.
Responding to your ticket:
If you choose to pay the fine, essentially means you’re admitting your guilt and giving up the option to fight the ticket.
Fines and penalties depend on the type of traffic violation, but the people who pay the Indiana traffic ticket fines can:
- Expect high auto insurance rates.
- Get a discount for Driver Safety Program completion (DSP).
Indiana DSP or deferral program can be used to keep traffic violations off their driving records.
Generally, when you receive your traffic ticket, the state allows a certain amount of time to respond to it. Check the date mentioned on your ticket. If you failed to respond by that date, the court will notify the Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) who can suspend your driver’s license indefinitely.
How to pay your ticket fine:
Depending on the state you belong to and what your court offers, you might be able to pay for your speeding ticket online, by mail, in person, or by phone.
Paying Online:
Not all tickets are eligible for online payment but those eligible can visit the state’s Online Ticket Payment portal.
This online portal requires certain information from the ticket to be processed. This will include the ticket number, so if you have lost the ticket, you should immediately contact the appropriate court for details on how to find your records.
Other Payment Options:
If you are unable or ineligible to pay your ticket online, contact the appropriate court and ask about the payment methods accepted by it. These payment methods can be, by mail, in person, or by phone. Be sure to ask which forms of payment are accepted by the court (i.e. cash, credit cards, checks, etc.
Frequently Asked Questions
Speeding in a school zone you will end up paying fine up to $1,000
30 mph (48 km/h) in urban areas. 35 mph (56 km/h) on unpaved roads. 45 mph (72 km/h) on rural paved county roads.
Speeding fines are $1 per mile over the speed limit so if you are driving at 50 miles per hour on a 30 miles per hour zone then you will be getting a ticket of $20 and Court costs are $133.50.
DMV Offices in Indiana
Also Read : Indiana Speeding Laws Fine and DL Point System