Question: I am a senior driver, and have been driving for over 50 years. I've only ever had one traffic ticket in all that time. I got it last month. I was going 55 mph in a 45 zone on a road without another car for two miles (except for the cop, of course).

Now my insurance rates have gone up because I have a traffic ticket on my record, the first one in half a century! Why don't they look at your whole driving record? And how can I get my company to lower my insurance rate back to where it was?

Answer: First, relax. Tickets happen to most drivers sooner or later. They're upsetting and they do have consequences, but there are ways to make them less horrible.

Unfortunately, insurance companies only look at your driving record for the last 3-5 years. All your decades of perfect driving don't really offset that one lousy ticket. But you might be able to get your insurer to lower your insurance rates by getting the traffic ticket removed from your record. Many states have programs to dismiss a moving violation if you attend traffic school. Call your state Motor Vehicles Department to see if they have one.

It's probably too late to go before a judge on this ticket, but in the future, you can sometimes get a citation dismissed by challenging it in court. Many people believe that simply being a senior driver and taking the effort to show up in traffic court improves your chances of getting a dismissal, a downgrade to a lesser violation, or a reduced fine.

You also need to be extra careful to keep your record clean. If you get another traffic ticket on your record, your rates will skyrocket. Slow down and pay attention to all traffic rules. When you've gone three years without a citation, be sure to let your insurance company know. Most companies won't automatically lower your rate when you pass the magic three-year date. You have to remind them to give you back lower car insurance rates.

When you are a senior driver you need to shop around for car insurance. Compare rates from several companies to find the cheapest insurance rates for your situation. Getting multiple quotes can often save you hundreds of dollars.