Anne Arundel Speeding Ticket Lawyer
When it comes to speeding tickets in Anne Arundel, false impressions are all too common. Many people believe they cannot be stopped for speeding unless they are driving 10-12 miles per hour over the speed limit. That is not true. They also believe that if police have clocked someone at a particular speed, there is no way to fight the charge, and that is also not true.
While it may seem easiest and cheapest to pay a speeding ticket and forget about it, that strategy often ends up costing much more in the long run. The most prudent course of action is to consult an experienced Anne Arundel speeding ticket lawyer to learn your options for fighting the charges.
When you work with a criminal defense lawyer familiar with fighting speeding tickets, your attorney could help keep your record clean which can keep your insurance rates lower for years to come and helps to protect your driving privileges in the future.
Speed Limits May Be Difficult to Ascertain
Speed limits in Anne Arundel may be set by default or by specific area. And traffic along a single road may be regulated differently in different places depending on the population density, road condition, and the presence of special factors such as school zones or work zones.
All this means that it can be difficult to determine what the speed limit is, particularly if it has changed. Drivers often rely on GPS to show them the speed limit for a stretch of road, but GPS systems do not always keep up with adjustments. Traffic enforcement officials are aware of places where drivers miss these adjustments, and they often issue speeding tickets in these areas.
Speed Limits in Anne Arundel
The limits for driving speed in Anne Arundel are regulated in a few different ways. First, Md. Code Ann., Transp. §21-801.1 establishes default speed limits for particular types of roads. Unless a posted sign contradicts the default, the limits are:
- 30 m.p.h. on highways in business districts
- 30 m.p.h. on undivided highways in residential districts
- 35 m.p.h. on divided highways in residential districts
- 50 m.p.h. on undivided highways elsewhere
- 55 m.p.h. on divided highways elsewhere
Posted speed limits may be higher or lower, but may never be more than 70 m.p.h. on an interstate highway or 55 m.p.h. on another highway.
In addition, Md. Code Ann., Trans. §21-801 specifies that drivers may not operate “at a speed that, with regard to the actual and potential dangers existing, is more than that which is reasonable and prudent under the conditions.”
This means that even if driving under the absolute speed limit allowed under the law, a driver may still be considered to be speeding if it is determined that it was not safe to drive that fast. The determination may be based on visibility, road conditions or other factors.
Speak with a Anne Arundel Speeding Ticket Attorney Today
Speeding tickets, if left uncontested, usually result in the assessment of points against a driver’s record. So not only does that driver need to pay a hefty fine, the driver also begins to build a record that can give the appearance of a habitual offender. If enough points are accumulated, a driver’s license may be suspended or revoked.
A driver’s record has a direct effect on the rates charged by insurance companies. So, it is wise, if you have been issued a speeding ticket, to consult an Anne Arundel speeding ticket lawyer to learn how an attorney could work to protect your driving record.
In a consultation, a speeding ticket lawyer may explain the potential weaknesses in the case against you and how those weaknesses could be exploited to bring about a positive result. To learn your options, call now.