Traffic violations are arguably the most common form of illegal activity. Most people who might never consider harming or stealing from others might break traffic rules without a second thought.
Every traffic violation puts a driver at risk of a citation. Police officers who spot people breaking traffic laws can pull them over and cite them for violating traffic statutes. Many people simply accept the penalties that the state imposes and plead guilty to traffic offenses. But, when people understand the consequences, they may see the value in fighting their traffic tickets.
Driver’s license points
The state tracks individual driving records by assessing points for each major violation. Typically, a citation may carry between three and six points depending on its severity. Those points can affect eligibility for licensing and insurance rates.
Three-point offenses include exceeding the speed limit by between one and nine miles per hour (mph), impeding traffic with slow driving, improper passing, using a highway crossover without authorization, driving on a sidewalk, improper turns, ignoring traffic signage, driving without lights, driving without a license, driving without a license plate and a variety of other similar offenses.
Traffic offenses that carry four points include minor reckless driving allegations, exceeding the speed limit by between 10 and 19 mph, unsafe passing, failing to yield for first responders, failing to stop for pedestrians, following another vehicle too closely, failing to obey signals at a railroad crossing and numerous other traffic offenses.
More serious forms of reckless driving and excessive speeding can carry six license points. Impaired driving, refusing a chemical test, causing a fatal crash (vehicular manslaughter) and driving as a habitual offender.
Fines
The price of speeding tickets depends on the speed of the vehicle. They include a $51 processing fee and $6 in fines for each mile over the speed limit. That increases to 47 per mile in a school zone or highway work zone. Those speeding in residential neighborhoods face a $200 base fine in addition to $8 per mile over the posted limit.
The fines for ignoring traffic signs, improper signal use, failing to yield and improper passing are $30. The fines for illegal turns and evading traffic control devices are $50. Passing a stopped school bus carries a $250 ticket. Most parking violations carry $20 fines, but parking in a space reserved for those with disabling medical conditions is $150.
Fines are not the only cost related to a traffic violation, as people may find that their insurance premiums increase with the number of points on their record. In some cases, people may be at risk of losing their driving privileges or commercial driver’s licenses that they need for their careers.
Fighting back against a citation instead of paying it is often the better option for those worried about their driving privileges and other consequences. With support, many motorists can avoid the penalties associated with being cited for alleged traffic violations.