Penalties For Common Traffic Violations

In order to inculcate a habit of following traffic rules, penalties are imposed on traffic violations. Following the traffic rules is essential for the safety of other travelers on road and yourself. Violation of such rules can also result in fatality. You may violate traffic rules and regulations while parking wrongly or while moving. The traffic rules and regulations are mostly local to the state government and only few aspects are regulated by the federal government. Hence, while driving you can come across various traffic rules, which change by city, state, highway or region.

Violation Types

Violations can be either major or minor. The violations which do not result in casualties or serious injuries or damages can be regarded as minor injuries. So, parking violation, speeding or crossing signal may be considered as minor violations. Reckless driving, hitting and fleeing the scene of accident are serious violations and may leave you in imprisonment. Driving under Influence (DUI) of intoxicating substances like alcohol is another offense which invites incarceration or cancellation of the driving license.

Common Traffic Violations

Speed limit - Since 1995, most of the states are having a 65 mph as the maximum allowed speed limit. Fixed maximum is a type of speed limit where the driver cannot exceed the limit any time anywhere for any reason. Prima facie is another limit which allows driver to exceed the limit if driver can prove that it was not unsafe to cross the limit.

Seat Belt Rule - Children and the adult driving the vehicle have to be restrained with the help of a seat belt.

Drunk Driving - Driving under the influence of intoxicants is seriously penalized but it varies with different states. Cancellation of the driving license for a time period is the least penalty imposed for drunk driving and it may be harsher and can end in imprisonment.

Penalties

Many states in the US maintain a driving record for all driving license holders. Whenever a traffic rule is violated, points are entered in the record. Points vary with the seriousness of the violation. For example in the state of New Jersey, moving against traffic will record 2 points in your record, improper U-turn will get 3 points, improper passing in no passing zone will get 4 points, reckless driving will get 5 points and so on. When the points reach certain limits, insurance rates are increased or imposed with a surcharge or the license gets suspended and so on.

Getting Legal Advice

You have numerous options to rectify or reduce your points in your driving records but these vary from state to state. Hence, you can get the state-specific regulations and details by approaching a traffic ticket attorney.

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