If you drive often or long enough, the odds that you will eventually get a speeding ticket are high. Most of the time, a speeding ticket is just an expensive reminder to slow down and pay attention to the posted speed limit. If you are issued multiple speeding tickets in a relatively short period, however, the consequences could be much more serious. To make sure you understand what those consequences are, a Chicago traffic law attorney explains what happens if you get multiple tickets.
How Many Speeding Tickets Can I Get in a Year?
In the State of Illinois, your driving privileges can be suspended for multiple speeding violations. An adult motorist who is convicted for three moving violations (including speeding) within 12 months will have his/her license suspended by the Illinois Secretary of State. The suspension is not a discretionary suspension that is determined by a judge. Instead, it is a mandatory suspension that kicks in automatically upon notification of the third conviction. You could also have your license suspended for getting two speeding tickets in one year if you are also convicted of a third moving violation that is for something other than speeding as well. Rules for those under the age of 21 are different.
How Long Will My License Be Suspended?
The length of your suspension will depend on the number of “points” you have on your license. When you are convicted of speeding, points are assigned against your license depending on the category:
- 1 to 10 mph over the limit
- 11 to 14 mph over the limit
- 15 to 25 mph over the limit
- Greater than 25 mph over the limit
The higher the points you have, the longer the suspension. For example, a certain point value will result in a two-month suspension if your license has not been suspended or revoked in the past seven years. With a previous suspension, however, you may be facing a four-month suspension or longer.
Are You Under Age 21?
If you are under 21, those same speeding tickets could do even more harm to your ability to drive because the State of Illinois holds younger drivers to higher standards. For a driver under 21, just two moving violations (including speeding) within 24 months will lead to an automatic suspension of your driving privileges.
Are You Under Supervision?
Supervision is an alternative sentencing option that is often available when a motorist receives a speeding ticket. In essence, the court puts the driver under court supervision for a period of months, during which time the driver cannot get in any additional trouble — including traffic violations. If you successfully complete the period of supervision, the original charge or ticket avoids a conviction. If you are currently completing a period of court-ordered supervision for a speeding ticket and you get convicted for another speeding violation, the supervision will likely be revoked. You may then be convicted of both the original speeding ticket and the new one. This could lead to an automatic suspension of your driving privileges if you have another conviction within the previous year or if you are a younger driver.
Contact a Chicago Traffic Law Attorney Today
If you were recently issued a speeding ticket in Chicago, consult with an experienced traffic law attorney to ensure that your driving privileges are not in jeopardy. Contact an experienced Chicago traffic law attorney at Mitchell S. Sexner & Associates LLC today by calling (312) 644-0444 or by filling out our online contact form.
This blog is available for informational purposes only and is not considered legal advice on any subject matter. The blog should not be used as a substitute for legal advice from a licensed professional attorney, and readers are urged to consult their own legal counsel on specific legal questions.
