The incident and what it tells you about speeding enforcement
In March 2024, Shedeur Sanders, the quarterback for the University of Colorado football team and son of coach Deion Sanders, received a speeding ticket in Boulder, Colorado. He was clocked at 33 miles per hour in a 25 mph school zone. The ticket itself is straightforward — a law enforcement officer observed a speed violation and issued a citation — but the case drew public attention because of Sanders' profile and because it happened in a school zone, where speed limits are lower and enforcement is typically stricter.
This incident is useful to understand not because of who received it, but because it shows how speeding tickets actually work in practice. School zones have posted lower limits for a reason: they exist during times when children are present, and even small speed increases make collisions more dangerous. When an officer issues a ticket in a school zone, the violation is often treated more seriously than the same speed in a regular zone.
If you have received a speeding ticket — whether in a school zone or elsewhere — the steps you take next depend on what you want to accomplish: reduce the fine, keep points off your record, or understand your options in court.
Key Takeaways
- School zone speeding tickets carry higher fines and more points than regular speeding violations because the zones exist during times when children are present.
- You have the right to contest a ticket in traffic court, and the officer must prove the speed was measured accurately.
- Many jurisdictions offer traffic school or defensive driving courses that can reduce points or fines if you complete the program.
- Paying a ticket without contesting it means accepting the violation and any points that come with it, which can raise your insurance rates.
How school zone speeding tickets differ from regular ones
A school zone speeding ticket carries a higher fine and more demerit points than the same speed violation outside a school zone. In Colorado, where Sanders received his ticket, speeding in a school zone can result in fines of $130 to $300 and four points on your driving record, compared to lower fines and fewer points for the same speed in a regular zone. The exact amounts vary by state and sometimes by county.
School zones are designated because children are walking, being dropped off, or being picked up during specific hours — usually 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. on school days. The lower speed limit (often 20 or 25 mph) is meant to give drivers more time to stop if a child enters the roadway. Because the risk is higher, the penalty is higher.
If you received a school zone ticket, check the citation itself to confirm the time and date. If the ticket was issued outside the posted school zone hours, you may have grounds to contest it.
What happens when you receive a speeding ticket
When an officer issues a speeding ticket, you receive a citation that lists the alleged speed, the speed limit, the location, the date and time, and the officer's name. The citation also tells you the fine amount and your options: pay the fine, contest the ticket in court, or request traffic school (if your jurisdiction offers it).
You typically have 30 to 60 days to respond, depending on your state. Ignoring the ticket does not make it go away — it can result in a suspended license, additional fines, or a warrant for your arrest. The ticket becomes a public record and is reported to your insurance company whether you pay it or contest it.
The officer's measurement of your speed is the core of the case. Officers use radar guns, laser speed detection, or pacing (following your vehicle to match speeds). If you contest the ticket, the officer must testify that the equipment was calibrated correctly and that the reading was accurate.
Your options after receiving a ticket
You have three main paths: pay the fine, contest the ticket in traffic court, or request traffic school if it is available in your jurisdiction.
Paying the fine means you accept the violation. The ticket goes on your driving record, points are added to your license, and your insurance company is notified. Your rates may increase. This is the fastest option but has the longest-term cost.
Contesting the ticket in traffic court means you appear before a judge and the officer must prove the speed was measured correctly. You can cross-examine the officer about the equipment, the conditions, and the procedure used. If the officer does not appear or cannot prove the violation, the ticket may be dismissed. If the judge finds you guilty, you pay the fine and points are added anyway.
Traffic school or defensive driving courses are available in many states and counties. You pay a course fee (usually $50 to $150), complete the program, and the ticket may be dismissed or the points reduced. You typically must have a clean record for the past three to five years to be may be able to access, and you can usually only use this option once every 12 to 24 months.
How points affect your driving record and insurance
Speeding violations add points to your driving record. The number of points varies by state and the severity of the violation. In Colorado, a school zone speeding ticket adds four points. In other states, the same violation might add two to six points.
Points accumulate over time. If you reach a certain threshold — often 12 points in three years — your license can be suspended. Insurance companies also check your driving record and use points as one factor in setting your rates. A single speeding ticket can raise your premium by 10 to 30 percent, depending on your insurer and your history.
Points typically fall off your record after three to five years, depending on your state. Until then, they affect your insurance costs and your license status. This is why contesting a ticket or completing traffic school — both of which can prevent points from being added — is often worth the time and cost.
What to do if you want to contest your ticket
Your citation will list a court date or a important date to request a court date. You must respond by that important date or the ticket becomes a judgment against you. Request a trial date in writing or by phone, depending on what your citation instructs.
Before your court date, gather evidence: photos of the road and speed limit signs, weather conditions on the day of the ticket, and any information about the officer's equipment. You can also request the officer's calibration records for the radar or laser gun used.
At trial, the officer must testify about how the speed was measured. You can ask questions about the equipment, the conditions, and whether the officer followed proper procedure. If you have evidence that the speed limit sign was obscured, that the equipment was not calibrated, or that the officer made an error, present it. The judge will decide whether the officer proved the violation beyond a reasonable doubt.
When traffic school is the better choice
Traffic school makes sense if you want to avoid points on your record and you are may be able to access. The cost is usually lower than the fine plus the insurance increase you would face over the next few years. You complete the course online or in person, pass a test, and submit proof of completion to the court.
Check your citation or call the court to ask whether traffic school is available for your violation. Some jurisdictions do not allow it for school zone speeding or for repeat offenders. If you have taken traffic school in the past few years, you may not be may be able to access again.
The course itself is straightforward — it covers road safety, hazard recognition, and defensive driving techniques. It takes a few hours to complete and is designed to be educational rather than punitive. Many people find it useful even if they are not required to take it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I contest a speeding ticket if I was going only a few miles over the limit?
Yes, you can contest any ticket. The officer must still prove the speed was measured accurately, regardless of how far over the limit you were going. However, judges are more likely to find you guilty if you were significantly over the limit. The strength of your defense depends on whether you can show an error in measurement or procedure, not on the margin of the violation.
What happens if I ignore a speeding ticket?
Ignoring a ticket does not dismiss it. The court will issue a judgment against you, your license can be suspended, additional fines and late fees are added, and a warrant for your arrest may be issued. You must respond by the important date on your citation, even if you plan to contest it.
Will a speeding ticket affect my car insurance?
Yes. Insurance companies check your driving record and use violations to set rates. A single speeding ticket can raise your premium by 10 to 30 percent for three to five years. Traffic school or a dismissed ticket prevents this increase because the violation does not appear on your record.
Can I request a lower fine instead of going to court?
Some jurisdictions allow you to request a fine reduction by mail or phone, but this is not may provide. The court may reduce the fine slightly, but the violation and points remain on your record. Contesting the ticket or completing traffic school are more effective ways to reduce the long-term cost.
How long does a speeding ticket stay on my driving record?
Points typically remain on your record for three to five years, depending on your state. After that period, they are removed and no longer affect your insurance rates or license status. However, the violation itself may remain visible on your record for longer in some states.