[Redline93]

Hello Everyone,

I was cited today for 75 in a 55 in Brighton on my way back into the city on the Mass Pike. I moved up here 3 years ago, and had never been pulled over until today.

I read on dmv.org that first time offenders of speeding will get a 'free pass' on the 2 points that are assessed for an admission of guilt. Is this true? I'm not worried about the amount of the fine, I just don't like points.

I'm just looking to get some clarification on the laws here. I wasn't able to really find anything of use, besides the 'points system,' on the RMV website.

Thanks in advance.

[MassBimmer]

I have heard this as well..

[fbsd]

you might have some luck by looking around the masscops.com forum

[TL]

From my experience, it's true you do get a "free pass" if it's your first offense. i had a clean record for awhile and then a year ago i was caught driving in a one way street (the one way street was a short cut that cuts into Comm Ave near Allston St. about 5 feet) the female cop wouldn't let me go so i tried to fight it in court ($25 ticket but it's the point that i was worried about). Long story short, i losted and then checked with my insurance (Liberty Mutual) and did not get 2 points. I'm a step 00 (which means neutral) now and was a 99. I believe 98 is the lowest posssible in MA.

If you have time i would fight the ticket and get a reduced fine. I bet it must be a $200+ ticket. If you're lucky the cop doesn't show and it's dismissed, but the chances are really slim from my experience they always show up.

Good Luck!

[TL]

found this site for verification

http://www.massautoquote.com/blog/?t...driving-record

Surcharge points are not assigned to a non-criminal minor motor vehicle traffic law violation if it is the first such violation or if it occurs in the sixth (oldest) year in the operator’s six year Policy Experience Period.

If you have further questions about the system of surcharges and credits that apply in the Massachusetts Safe Driver Insurance Plan, you can reach a Consumer Service Representative at the Merit Rating Board any weekday from 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM by calling 617-351-4400.

[Redline93]

Thank you for taking a quick look for me. I appreciate the time on your part to research. True, it is a $200 fine exactly. If it were worse, I would surely fight it, but I will chalk this one up as a warning shot. I need to be a bit more careful next time.

My insurance is also through Liberty Mutual. They are a great company to work with; I hope you have experienced the same.

[Thunder Dump]

The surcharge has nothing to do with traffic laws. It all has to do with the Merit Rating Board and the insurance companies. Up until a couple of years ago auto insurance in MA was regulated, which means that everyone had to charge the exact same amount for the exact same coverage. Consumers couldn't shop around to get a better deal since everyone had the same price. That's now changed.

The Merit Rating Board established the Safe Driver Insurance Plan that states for the first non-criminal minor offense, points are not assessed. The six year rule basically means that you can get a speeding ticket every seven years (six clean years of driving) and not be assessed points (assuming you have no other moving violations of any kind).

[dj128]

My wife got her first ticket ever after moving here to MA for speeding. Not sure if it affected her "points" but when we wanted to change insurance companies, that ticket came up and it was within 3 years; so the premium jumped up dramatically.

[dj128]

I forgot to mention, but at that time I was with Commerce insurance and my premium did not go up during that time period. It only affected my ability to change insurance companies for a better rate.

[Redline93]

Thunder Dump, thank you for shedding more light on the topic. I didn't know this was directly related to the Merit Rating Board and insurance companies.

dj128, I plan on keeping my '08 335 for at least 3 years. I think by the time it comes for a new vehicle, I won't have to worry about my premium increasing due to a traffic ticket.

In my home state, this little episode would have earned me 4 points (takes 6 to lose license there). What chaps my ass is that so many people speed in the area I was cited, and I'd never seen a trooper in that immediate area until the day I got my citation.

At least you can start with a clean slate again after the 6th consecutive year of clean driving. Thanks again for the comments. All of this has been useful information for me, and I do wish the RMV website was a little bit more user friendly.

[jopa489]

Originally Posted by Redline93

I do wish the RMV was a little bit more user friendly.

Fixed that for you.