Washington 46.61.400, Stop-And-Go Traffic, Fender Bender

My question involves a speeding ticket from the State of: Washington.

Traffic was crawling, I wasn't completely tailgating but driving close enough so that no one would cut in front of me. Sudden stop two cars (or more?) up, slam on the brakes but didn't stop in time = fender bender. Lucky for me, I got sandwiched, but my concern is this ticket. I'm not sure I would be successful pleading not guilty given the circumstances, but I think I was overcharged. From what I was able to find on the WA courts website, my monetary penalty should be $37 for too fast for conditions plus $62 because an accident occurred. My ticket is for $175. Is this grounds for contesting?

You missed the actual wording in paragraph (d), which states:

Quote:

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Quoting IRLJ 6.2

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(d) Penalty Schedule. The following infractions shall have the penalty listed, not including statutory assessments.

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SOME of the "statutory assessments" can be found in RCW 46.63.110. The total penalty for "too fast for conditions" should be $124. However, since an accident occurred, the penalty is $175 -- this is the total penalty -- NOT in addition to the $124. It consists of the $62 plus other "statutory assessments". The fine is correct.

So, no, this is not grounds for contesting.

Barry