In today’s high-speed network in just about everything we see, download, and do, speeding on our state’s roads – and the tickets that sometimes follow – haven’t slowed down either. Especially here in Virginia, where, in a recent study, the state was listed in the top 10 speediest states in the United States.
It’s an unfortunate ranking, in fact, that Virginia has continued to lead the pack in over the last few years. Interestingly enough, however, that same study researched the speed limits in all 50 states and found that none of the top 10 speedy states have the highest speed limits for any type of road on the state and, at the same time, these states have the heftiest driving restrictions.
Yes, traffic citations are abundant in Virginia because law enforcement is strict – and every jurisdiction is different. The traffic citation defense attorneys at Randall, Page & Bruch, P.C. have extensive experience defending clients in many different cities if you receive a traffic citation.
Speeding laws and stats
Here are a few things we want you to keep in mind about Virginia’s speeding laws and stats:
- Rural and urban interstates have a speed limit of 70 mph, limited-access roads are usually at 65 or 55 mph.
- Any driver caught going over 80 miles per hour, or 20 miles per hour over the limit, can be charged with reckless driving, which could lead to a possible $2,500 fine, license suspension, or jail time.
- 3 percent of drivers reported speeding violations; 5.32 percent of drivers have a suspended license.
- There are currently 19,036 full-time law enforcement officers in Virginia; in the last two years, troopers gave 20,000 speeding tickets a year on highways alone.
- Virginia was also ranked 4th for repeat speeding offenders.
- According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, speeding contributed to 26 percent of vehicular deaths in 2017.
- Speeding is one of the top three fatal mistakes made by teen drivers.
- Virginian cities Martinsville, Stanton, and Danville are three of the five cities in the United States with the most drivers caught speeding.
Speeding defense strategies
- Questioning the subjectivity of an officer’s personal opinion upon the speeding citation
- Through possible eyewitness testimonials, video surveillance, and more, we sometimes dispute an officer’s evidence presentation.
- Defending the driver’s violation as a mistake of fact.
- Proving that the speeding was justified or necessary to prevent harm, such as to avoid a collision with an intoxicated driver, swerving around a pedestrian or animal in the road, or driving to the hospital in an emergency situation.
How do we help you if you are issued a speeding ticket?
We know this situation can be stressful, which is why you can trust the traffic citation defense attorneys at Randall, Page & Bruch, P.C. to take the lead and defend your case. From sitting down with you to gather information about your specific traffic violation, to coming up with a winning strategy, to appearing in court on your behalf to work toward getting your speeding ticket or points reduced.
