As a driver in the New York City area, you know that obeying the speed limit is easier said than done. For example, there are times when you feel that you have no choice but to speed to keep up with the flow of traffic.

Even with so many challenges to contend with, it’s up to you to do the right thing. And that means obeying the speed limit at all times. Here are some of the many reasons why speeding is a bad idea:

• It can result in a traffic ticket: Not only are traffic tickets expensive to pay, but too many of them can take a toll on your insurance premium. And at some point, it could even result in the cancellation of your policy.
• It increases the risk of an accident: The faster you’re driving, the less time you have to make decisions. For example, if you’re speeding in a city setting, you may not have enough time to stop if someone traveling from the opposite direction makes a turn in front of you.
• It can lead to other traffic violations: For example, if you’re driving too fast, you may not leave enough time to stop at a red light, so you simply coast through it.

Even if you have the best intentions, you could still receive a traffic ticket for speeding. If this happens, don’t assume it’s best to pay it and move on.

It’s often in your best interest to review the circumstances leading to the ticket, which may position you to fight it in traffic court.