Speeding in New York State will cost you plenty

Here in Ontario, Canada, many drivers blissfully sail down Highway 401 at speeds in excess of 100 km/h. A few of us blast along doing 140 km/h and more. It doesn’t appear that there is much fear of being caught. Perhaps that’s because we don’t expect a huge police presence on the 401. Many drivers are willing to take the risk. However, Canadian drivers speeding in New York State are in for a surprise. Ontario has a reciprocal agreement with The State of New York with regard to traffic offences. Speeding and other motor vehicle offences occurring in New York State will be treated as if they were committed in Ontario. In Ontario, speeding 50 km/h above the speed limit will get you six demerit points plus a fine. When you speed in New York State, you also get a speeding fine, but that is not the end of it. On November 18, 2004, New York State initiated a “Driver Responsibility Program”. One provision of this program stipulates that a driver who accumulates six demerit points within an 18-month period must pay $250 USD annually for three years on top of the speeding fine. How do you get six demerit points? They catch you going 31 mph above the speed limit. Unless you have a speedometer that displays your speed in miles per hour, you might have a problem keeping below that threshold. Maybe you're convinced you only went 25 mph above the limit. Are you going to argue with a New York State trooper at the side of the highway? No, you’ll probably just take the ticket and chalk it up to experience. About two weeks later, you will receive a letter in the mail advising you that your driving offence triggered your inclusion in the “Driver Responsibility Program”. They will want the $250.00 within thirty days. If you don’t pay, you could lose your Ontario Driver’s Licence. In addition, you will be getting two more annual bills for $250.00. The best thing to do is avoid the problem in the first place. Watch your speedometer. If it does not display speed in mph, just multiply by six and drop the last number. For example, at 100 km/h, you are going a bit over 60 mph. At 40 km/h, you are travelling at about 24 mph. Don’t be afraid—be prepared.