can someone please explain how traffic fines work?

I'm seriously perplexed....

Okay, I got a new (used) car in September...traded in the Pathfinder (gasp!) for the more economical Volvo S60 (yeah, yeah, but it does get better gas mileage)

I got pulled over in October on the highway by a very nice cop, actually, who had me dead to rights that I was going over the speedlimit, which I thought was 65 (and I was going about 70). I was cool about it, didn't give him any guff...he informs me, then, that I was actually speeding in a 55 mph zone (hwy 101 north near san rafael) and that I could actually be cited for RECKLESS DRIVING and if he cited me at my speed I'D LOSE MY LICENSE FOR A YEAR! gulp. He was cool, though, and only cited me for not having updated my address with a recent move.

Okay, in October I was in downtown Santa Rosa and flipped a U-turn from my parking spot on the street over one lane of traffic (which was clear). Commando Joe pulls me over...typical cop (sorry, my ex is a fireman and I'm dating a cop so I have all the respect in the world but this guy was your stereotypical A$$hole blowhard) Big puffed chest busting out of his shirt, shaved head, bad sunglasses. Again, I was pleasant...

cop: "Do you know why I pulled you over?"
me: "Um, no, officer." "
cop practically snorting at me with disdaine: "You don't know why I pulled you over?" incredulously.
me: "No, officer, I don't."
cop: "You really don't know" by this time the sarcasm is *dripping* from him and I'm about ready to get testy but put on my happy smile.
me: "Um, because I made a u-turn?" (didn't know they were illegal).
So, yeah, apparently I broke like three different laws making this u-turn so he cites me (with unbridled glee, might I add.)

December I'm driving on Hwy 1 south of Gualala, one lane road, ocean on my right, and i hit a straight patch and yup, before you know it, speedy gonzalez hits 68...and then see the chp. DAMMITALLTOHELLI REALLYNEEDTOSTOPSPEEDING!
He pulls me over and cites me for 68 in a 55. Again, I'm nice. He had me dead to rights.

MY QUESTIONS (yeah, took awhile to get here...sorry)

1. I figured I should pay the u-turn fine and go to traffic school on the speeding cuz aren't the points higher for speeding???

2. when I got the cites, tho, the penalty for my excessive speed was only $97 and yet for the u-turn it's $131???? How does that work?

So now I'm trying to figure out, should I just pay the cheaper ticket off (speeding) and then go to traffic school on the u-turn? Or will that points thing come and bite me in the ?

Anyone in the know please explain and I'd be appreciative.

And yes, as for the lead foot, it's in check. Sigh. I was following a friend the other day and she ended up leaving me in the dust b/c I refused to go over the speedlimit and I had to call to ask her where she was. When she teased me for "going so slow" I laid into her for doing 70+ WITH A BABY IN THE CAR.

So yeah, I've learned my lesson....although it sure hurts the pocket book.

ugh.