For drivers who have received speeding tickets in Pennsylvania, the last word they may use to describe the state is “lenient.” However, in comparison to other U.S. states, some might say Pennsylvania actually goes a little easy on speeders. This is not to say that drivers with tickets do not have a legitimate reason to be upset. It does mean that the repercussions may be a bit less harsh than, say, in Colorado or Delaware.
In 2015, CNBC reported on the states that cracked down the most on speeding and reckless driving. When it comes to the ticket cost for speeding, Washington sits at the top of the list with an average max of $5,000. As far as laws, Colorado, Illinois, Delaware and Arizona had the toughest laws. The most lenient state was Texas, which also boasts the fastest freeway in America. The states next in line included Pennsylvania, Utah, South Dakota and Mississippi.
Still, there are many ways to measure leniency in a state when it comes to speeding. Ticket prices and general give-way on behalf of police officers is one aspect. What about insurance costs? How forgiving are insurance companies in Pennsylvania when it comes to premium hikes after a speeding ticket?
According to NerdWaller, it falls among the most lenient with an average increase of just 7% for a speeding ticket. This may sound like a lot, especially for drivers who already have high insurance premiums. Yet, considering the average spikes in other states, it may not be so bad after all. Wyoming, for instance, averages 57%. North Carolina is even higher at 62%. The national average is 14%.
No one likes to get a speeding ticket in Pennsylvania. However, after checking out how the state compares to other locations in America, it could be a whole lot worse.
