Arlington drivers tasked with taking care of a traffic ticket now have easier access to the Arlington Municipal Courtin the form of a new online payment option available via the Court's website.

The system has long provided online options to pay the fines associated with warrants and convictions, but a request for deferred disposition for a traffic violation has previously required a trip to the courthouse.

" With this new feature, people can request additional options that keep citations off driving records,&r" said Katy Tagg, a court system administrator. " They can also upload a document or two, like a driver's license or proof of insurance.&r"

Tagg said the website upgrade was completed without additional cost to taxpayers.

" We're hoping this new module will reduce waiting times at our courthouse and provide more convenience for our customers,&r" she said.

While most drivers understand that traffic tickets can result in higher insurance rates, many are unaware that the Texas Department of Public Safety also assesses points for both in-state and out-of-state traffic convictions that remain on driving records for three years from the date of conviction.

Drivers who accumulate six or more points are subject to a minimum surcharge of $100 for every year that the points remain on their records.

Driving safety classes and deferred disposition are options that allow ticketed drivers to keep citations off their driving records, provided they meet program requirements like paying fines, taking a class or not committing further traffic violations during a probationary period.

These options may become particularly attractive to Arlington drivers now that they are eligible to request them without making a trip to the court.

" Currently, there are three times that drivers see information about these programs-on the back of their ticket and on the website in two locations,&r" said Tagg. " Hopefully, this will make more drivers aware of their options.&r"