If I remember right, the rule is if you challenge and lose you are ineligable for traffic school, but you can always ask the judge to forgive that part. If you are just an ass, forget it. If you have a compelling story, but are still guilty, you have a decent shot.

You will pay extra for the traffic school. Do it online, so much better. You pay for the ticket, the court “costs” to go to traffic school, and the school fee. Your ticket is only the first two.

You are right, it is all a big scam. The goal isn’t to make anything safer, it is to generate income. I watch cops break traffic rules all the time, but no one is gonna hit them sooooo.