You can get a speed-related ticket in Kansas City without going over the posted limit. Officers also write tickets for driving too slowly, changing speed erratically, failing to slow down for conditions and speeding up while another car is passing you. These tickets are often written after a crash or a near miss, and they can carry points, fines and insurance consequences just like a regular speeding ticket.
Driving too slowly (minimum speed)
Driving well below the flow of traffic can be a violation when it blocks or slows the normal movement of traffic, and on multi-lane highways slower traffic is expected to keep right. Slow driving is not a violation when it is needed for safety, such as in heavy rain, snow, ice or fog. Read more in our guide to driving below the minimum speed limit in Kansas City.
Erratic speed
An erratic speed ticket usually describes repeated, unexplained speeding up and slowing down. Because the charge depends on what the officer saw and for how long, the officer’s vantage point, the length of the observation and any video are central to the defense. See erratic speed tickets in Kansas City.
Failure to reduce speed and the careful and prudent rule
Missouri law requires drivers to operate in a careful and prudent manner and at a speed that does not endanger people or property (RSMo 304.012). That means a speed under the limit can still be too fast for rain, ice, traffic or a curve. Failure to reduce speed tickets are common after rear-end collisions. Learn more about failure to reduce speed tickets and safe speed for road conditions.
Speeding up while being passed
When another vehicle is lawfully passing you, Missouri law says you must not increase your speed until the other vehicle has completely passed (RSMo 304.016). See our guide to passing and speed violations.
Speed tickets after an accident
If you were in a crash, a speed-related ticket can affect more than your driving record. Pleading guilty or paying the ticket may be used against you in an insurance claim or lawsuit. Read does a speeding ticket prove fault in a collision? and do you need a lawyer if you crash while speeding? If someone was hurt, see our traffic accident attorney page.
How these tickets are defended
- Checking whether the facts on the ticket match the charge that was written
- Reviewing dash camera or body camera video and the officer’s report
- Looking at weather, traffic and road conditions at the time
- Negotiating an amendment to a non-moving violation where possible
Every case is different and results cannot be guaranteed. For help with any speed-related ticket in Kansas City, call Speeding Ticket KC at 816-398-8772.
