Defend Speeding Tickets in Fresno
Receiving a speeding ticket can have lasting effects on both personal and professional drivers. For drivers in Fresno, these tickets carry serious consequences like points on your license, increased insurance costs, potential license suspensions, and even jeopardized employment. While the process may seem straightforward, tackling a speeding ticket on your own often leads to avoidable complications. Hiring an experienced traffic attorney ensures the best possible outcome, whether you're a commuter, a commercial truck driver, or a rideshare operator.
Why Speeding Tickets Are Serious
Speeding violations are not all the same. California law outlines several types of speeding offenses in the Vehicle Code. Each violation comes with distinct circumstances, penalties, and impacts on your driving record. The most common speeding offenses include exceeding the speed limit, recklessly endangering others, and violating speed restrictions for certain vehicles like trucks and rideshare cars.
Speeding tickets add points to your driving record that can lead to license suspensions. For professional drivers, including those with a commercial driver’s license (CDL) or rideshare operators, the stakes are even higher. Regular speeding infractions can not only threaten your insurance rates but also your ability to work.
Key California Vehicle Code Sections Regarding Speeding
The California Vehicle Code outlines specific sections addressing speeding to ensure the safety of all motorists and to regulate the conduct of commercial vehicle operators. This section provides an overview of the most important California Vehicle Code sections related to speeding and the consequences of such violations.
California Vehicle Code 22349 – Exceeding 65 MPH (1 point for noncommercial drivers)
Drivers are prohibited from exceeding 65 miles per hour on most highways in California. This rule applies to general passenger vehicles and is one of the most common speeding charges issued.
California Vehicle Code 22350 – Basic Speed Law (1 point for noncommercial drivers)
The Basic Speed Law requires drivers to travel at safe speeds under current road and weather conditions, even if the posted speed limit allows for faster driving. If, for instance, road visibility is poor, driving near the posted limit may still result in a citation under this section.
California Vehicle Code 22356 – Exceeding 70 MPH (1 point for noncommercial drivers)
This applies to specific highways where a maximum limit of 70 mph is allowed. Exceeding this threshold is a serious violation that can damage your driving record.
California Vehicle Code 22348(b) – Speeding Over 100 MPH (2 points for noncommercial drivers)
This section involves extreme speeding cases where drivers exceed 100 mph. Such violations are treated severely by the courts, often resulting in significant legal and professional repercussions.
Vehicle Code Section 23103(a) – Reckless Driving (2 points for noncommercial drivers)
Reckless driving involves operating a vehicle with a willful or wanton disregard for the safety of others, which is a misdemeanor.
Vehicle Code Section 23109(a) – Speed Contest (2 points for noncommercial drivers)
Participating in a speed contest, or racing another vehicle on public roads, is a serious misdemeanor offense.
Vehicle Code Section 23109(c) – Exhibition of Speed (2 points for noncommercial drivers)
Exhibition of speed, such as unnecessarily revving your engine or taking off at an excessive speed to show off, which is a misdemeanor.
California Vehicle Code 22406 – Speed Limits for Commercial Vehicles (1.5 points for commercial drivers)
This section establishes a maximum speed limit of 55 mph for commercial vehicles like trucks and buses on most California highways. Exceeding this limit is not only dangerous but can significantly impact a commercial driver’s ability to maintain their CDL.
California Vehicle Code 22406.1 – Speeding in a Commercial Vehicle Over 15 MPH (1.5 points for commercial drivers)
Commercial drivers who exceed the speed limit by 15 mph or more face particularly harsh penalties. These include points on their commercial driving record, which can lead to disqualification and lost job opportunities.
