What Would You Do? - Lincoln,NE

That's really nice that you have an option to go to a class. We don't have that in OH. I would attend the class. What's that saying? Do the crime, pay the time? ;)

I'd do the class. Apparently, you can make the time if enough of us tell you to do the class, otherwise you wouldn't even ask because it wouldn't be an option...

How many point is the ticket? And what's the limit in Ohio? I'd probably roll the dice, skip the class and take the points...but that's me! :-)

I would pay a sitter and go to the class. The 13 year old can miss a sports class. And yes a speeding ticket can mess with your insurance. Now if it is the only one then not so much but still it is there on your record. But for me the class was so worth it. I got one and went to the class so it wouldn't go on my record.

You may be able to take a defensive driving course online. Check that out first. The online course is faster because you go at your own pace. I would try that first.

In Texas if you get a ticket, it stays on your license for 3 years and therefore, your insurance goes up for 3 years. But, if you take a defensive driving class you avoid the surcharge and you get a discount that lasts for 3 years. So, it's a choice of your insurance going up or going down for 3 years. Again, this is Texas rules, but it's probably similar everywhere. I know we are allowed to take the class online, at a comedy club, or driving school. They even have it to rent at Blockbuster.

I would attend the class. You've asked "what would you do" so thats what I would do.

I could care less how busy the world around me is; school, work, homework, sports, games, housecleaning, breathing! Breathing costs energy and time and effort! I'm not supermom, I know many who are and who are not and somehow the kids are not more or less because of the extras or the daily routine so much as how the parent functions well. You function in a high energy environment, thats a healthy attitude! Make the time.

You make the time for friends, for parties, for activities, make the time for the class. Your 13 year old could use a lesson in action about how when something happens regarding laws and driving choices (regardless of your skills, he's seeing a whole world of bad behavior around us!) you fix it with making time to clear your record with the opportunity given you. (Yes it was a speed trap, yes you're a good mom, yes it's a bad system that taxes us and charges us for insurance, tags, selling buying and breathing.) He'll learn from your behavior, as how something minor effects you in a powerful way, how you adjust for something like this with intent.

You sound like the avoidance is easier then the dealing with option to erase this minor problem. I understand how little time you have, I was a nanny for many families, have my own child, and function as a single mom working full time. I have moved several times in one year due to job opportunities, my support system is weak I understand how very very busy and stressful being a parent is and how making time is very very inconvient. I would do it. I worked amongst MP's while in the milatary, police are just people too, you either lead by example or you have no place to go.

I wouldn't want it on my record. My hubby is does the sales and travel for our company and he is known for having a lead foot at times.

In TX, you can take Defensive Driving once a year....ticket does not go on record PLUS, the certificate from DD class gets you a discount on your car insurance. You can do this online or go to a class. As busy as we are, he manages to take a day/night to just do it online.

Second, if you don't want the class. Call the courts, IF they agree, pay the fee and court costs, get deferred adjudication and then as long as you are ticket free for 3 months, it does not go on your record.

Lastly, hire a lawyer, he takes it to the court, it is usually dismissed.

I don't see a reason to ever let a ticket go on the record due to the options available to keep it off. If you let it go on your record, you will pay woefully more than the $123 fee over the years. Since you have a 13 yr old, you have to think about when she started driving as well.....rates will just about triple.

We went through a tough time a few yrs ago when hubby got a couple tickets back to back and we went as far as the lawyer route. None were ever on the record. After that tedious and expensive experience, he has not had any more speeding tickets. His issue is speeding, not DUI, reckless, or anything like that.

Good luck

You can take it online or rent the video and do it from home.

I would take the class because I wouldn't like to hand over even more money to my insurance company for who knows how long. Busy or not, I would make time.

I would have my husband or boyfriend watch the children and go to the class. You don't want your insurance to go up! It stays (at least in WA) for 3 years. Not worth it to me. Find someone to carpool your son to his sporting events.

I have jury duty next week and I also do not have time. I have a 7yr old, a 9yr old and a 12yr old with special needs. They all have lots of homework as well as after school activities, not to mention all the daytime stuff I have to do to run the household. I really, really do not have time for jury duty. But I have to go. I have no choice. Think of your class as jury duty. Only YOU get to save the $123.00 by going - I don't get any compensation at all...

Not sure if anyone else has mentioned this but your insurance will go up however if you take the class your insurance might actually go down. Here in Texas it's called a Defensive Driving Class and if you take it you receive 10% off your insurance.

Call your insurance agent and ask what the effect of the ticket would be on your insurance. They can tell you. Then you know what you will be paying and for how long. Best to make a decision with complete information!

When in doubt...take the safe road and go! Ask husband (if you are married) or somebody in your support system to watch the youger kids or ask your 13 y.o. to do that if he's responsible enough to stay at home and care for them. If he misses a class or a match (whatever are called sports challenges) one time, so what? he does sports the rest of the year. Children too have to learn to make room for parent's needs. I would go.

I opted for the STOP class 2 years ago in Ne City, oddly enough- we stayed Halloween night with my moms' friend in Riverton- as I am not a morning person and no way would make it to NE city in time for an 8 am class. At that time, I met my husband :) We have known each other for years and had never, until that time, Got the idea we would be good together. So, I don't know about the insurance- I totally understand the no time thing- although I did use this as "down time" for me. And you really do learn alot by only paying a little bit of attention. I would say it's worth it in the long run

I'm an insurance agent in AZ. It's always better to take the class. Your insurance will go up significantly and it's on your record for 3 years. You also lose all your "good driving" discounts. And if you get another speeding ticket, you will then have that on your record since you can only take the class like every 24 months. So take the class. Good luck.

It is always funny how we never have the time to do things we don't care to do but always find the time for the things we want to do. Who watches your children when you have to go for a day for other reasons? Do you have a good family or friend. Can your spouse watch them 8 hours while you go? This is only one day so it shouldn't interfer with your daughter's school sports much. She may have to have a ride home from practice or a game with someone else or have a game that you miss, but it is only one game.

The choice is your's, if you don't mind the ticket and higher insurance for however many years it sets on your record, then pay the ticket and becareful not to get another or take one day and take the class keeping your insurance lower and perhaps get a break on insurance by taking the class. Personally I would take the class since it is a win/win situtation while just paying for the ticket hasn't much positive in it other then a lesson learned.

if you have a pretty clean record, the just pay it and move on...if you dont have a clean record then go to the class...that's a cool idea...wonder if they have that where i am.

When considering things like this, I just calculate how much I make an hour (either through my job or when I'm at home). so if you know how much you make at your job then I would multiply by 8 and if it's more than $123 it's not worth it to take the class. Your time is money.

PS. If you're a stay at home mom, a recent statistic says you're worth a whopping $117,856 per year so that's $56 per hour (calculated at 40 hours per week which we know is much more than that) so you would actually make $448 during that 8 hour class.

When I got a speeding ticket a few years back, I took an online driving class. Basically, you could login and read/do the class on your available time. I had a 18 month old at the time, so I completed the class over a week's time, logging in after bedtime.

You might want to check to see if an online course is offered. If you do it over a week or 2 week period, it only demands 30-40 minutes a day.

I'd pay it if you don't have time to go....but if you don't have the money and are worried about having it on your record, have the hubs take care of the kids that day (or split them up) and get it done!

if is your first offence and your insurance will not go up i will pay the ticket,if you are not worry about your insurance pay the ticket .

Do you have the opportunity to go to court? I don't know if you would have time for that either, but if you have a good record the prosecutor may make a deal with you. I made a deal before that I would pay the fine but the ticket would not go on my record if I didn't have another offense in one year. It pays to keep your record clean whatever you need to do. If you need to take the class do it.

The moment I started reading your question I knew you were from NE. :-)
My husband had this same thing happen. He planned on taking the class, but couldn't find the time and the 30 days ran out. So we had to go online and pay the fine. Our insurance only went up $5 per month, so really not that big of a deal.
Go to the class if you can, but if you can't don't worry about it. Its really not the end of the world.

Get a sitter and take the class. Check if there is an online course instead. It's worth it. You don't want it on your record. It can bite you in the a** later on!

I would take the class. Find someone to watch your kids for a day and someone to drive the 13 year old to sports (I have always had another mother on a team be able to pitch in). I agree with the reasons the others stated for taking the class. An additional reason not yet mentioned - the speeding ticket will add a point to your driving record. If you have the bad luck to cause an accident in the next few years or something like that, the points can add up so you lose your liscense. If the point from speeding wasn't there, you would be ok. Just saw this happen to a friend.

I guess it depend on if you can afford the $123. If yes, then definitely skip the class. I would.

I'm all for convenience so I'm pretty sure I'd skip the class if it's your first offence .... You might call your insurance company and just ask them how much your premium might change so you can see what you are dealing with. And promise yourself NO MORE tickets!

I would find a way to take the class. The reasons being that I might learn something about how much road laws have changed since I got a license and the other would be to keep the offense off my driving record. You do have time to take care of this as one person said a child can miss a sports event so that you can take care of your needed issues. You are showing your daughter how to be responsible for her actions and not try to take the shortcut out. How much would it cost to hire a babysitter for a day versus the increased premiums for three years because you just paid the ticket and went about your business?

I have gotten speeding tickets and went to see the judge and paid the court fees but stayed clear of tickets and they were dropped.

Good luck with what you decide.

The other S.

your insurance will go up. You can also be denied coverrage if you try to switch insurance companies in the future. I know it is just a speeding ticket, but that speeding ticket can cause problems.

It may not go up that much a month, but it will go up for the next 3-5 years. It is only 8 hours, are you sure you can't squeeze that it. I have 4 kids and honestly I would find the t ime for the class. Of coarse you may have much more money then I do and not care abou tthe money going out.

Take the class! I recently got my first speeding ticket EVER in 30 years of driving and in addition to a $125 fine, my insurance went up nearly $25 a month! I wish I had the option to take a class instead.

I don't believe I read this option - could you 'negotiate' with the instructor to take four hours at one sitting and four at another? I've had to take these classes for the sole purpose of reducing our vehicle insurance rates. I would research the option of taking that class - and as much as I dislike forced classes - I found that each time I entered the class with a chip on my shoulder - and met MANY folks who felt the same, and by the end of the session - was feeling very glad I'd gone.

If you are unable to secure one person to care for all of the kids - ask several. You may have a strong list of pay-backs. However with a little for each, you may get things cared for quickly. Seriously - another mom / family could be transportation for the 13 year old - And your two younger children could be dropped into a daycare setting for less than the fine for the day - at the worst case scenario - best case, dad or a friend (or three) might be able to do shifts with them.

I'd avoid getting it on your record, also - I loved the thought regarding your 13 year old approaching driving age - and the rate jump possibility. That alone would make me sign up for the class. Who knows where rates will leap. And then - what if you need to switch carriers for some reason (like homeowner bundling will be a better deal) - what if the next carrier is unable to cut you the deal with your record? Just so many what-if's. $123 is no big deal - groceries for the week. But the class will offer you the choices in the future.

Good luck with your decision.

If I got a speeding ticket, I'd pay the fine and move on.

Depending on your state, however, this may come to rear its head when you go to renew your license.

I made a right turn after stopping at a red light...at a 'no turn on red' intersection and got nailed with a $75 ticket. Whoops! When I went to renew my license, with my 2 month old in tow, I was informed that since I got the ticket I had to retake the written exam. Yeah, that was fun.