??
How Do I:??

How To Avoid Traffic Tickets

Some common traffic violations include:

  • Speeding: if you go over the speed limit, you may incur a speeding ticket. This can add points to your record. States can suspend or revoke your license if you incur a certain amount of points within a given period of time. Check the point laws at your state's DMV site:

    Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles:
    http://www.hsmv.state.fl.us/

    California Department of Motor Vehicles:
    http://www.dmv.ca.gov/dmv.htm

    New York State DMV:
    http://www.nydmv.state.ny.us/

  • Failure to Yield: you may receive a traffic ticket or just a warning from the police officer
  • Failure to Stop at a Red Light or Stop Sign

! A parking ticket is not a traffic violation. It will not go on your police record. However, it will be recorded in the city parking records, and may have to be paid before you re-register your car with the state the following year.

! Many large cities have toll roads (often at bridges) which you must pay a toll to use. Tolls normally run $1-3, while longer toll roads can cost even more. If you do not have the money to pay the toll, the tollbooth operator will issue you a bill which you can send in without penalty within a certain time.

More serious violations:

DUI - "Driving Under the Influence". States consider this a serious offense. Even if you drink only one glass of wine, if you are pulled over by the highway patrol and your blood alcohol content is found to be over the legal limit (.08% BAC or more detected through a "breathalyzer test"), you may have your license suspended, and the DUI may stay on your record for your lifetime. If the DUI caused an accident or injury to another, you may have your license suspended, or even go to jail.

Calculate your blood alcohol content (BAC) at this website:
http://www.ou.edu/oupd/bac.htm

Learn more about DUI laws and penalties at these state DMV sites:

Florida:

http://www.hsmv.state.fl.us/ddl/duilaws.html

California:

If you are 21 years of age or older, took a blood or breath test, or (if applicable) a urine test, and the results showed 0.08% BAC or more:

  • A first offense will result in a 4-month suspension.
  • A second or subsequent offense within 7 years will result in a 1-year suspension.

    If you are under 21 year of age, took a preliminary alcohol screening (PAS) test or other chemical test and results showed 0.01% BAC or more, your driving privilege will be suspended for 1 year.

    What to do if you are arrested for DUI in California:
    http://www.dmv.ca.gov/dl/driversafety/dsalcohol.htm

If you are Stopped by the Highway Patrol:

If a policeman finds reasonable cause to pull you over, he may come up behind you, run his sirens and lights. This means you should pull over to the side of the road at the nearest safe location and stop your car. Don't get out of the car unless the policeman asks you to. The policeman will ask to see your driver's license and registration (which you should carry with you at all times). The officer will then go back to his car to check to see that your papers are current and that you have no outstanding violations or warrants for your arrest. Remain in the car quietly and do not make a fuss. It may take a few minutes for the policeman to check your records. The policeman will tell you what he thought you did wrong and may issue you a ticket.

If you wish to contest the ticket, you will need to appear in court on the date that appears on the ticket with any evidence that might help your case.

If you wish to pay the ticket, you can send it in within the due date described on the ticket. if you do not pay the ticket on time, you may incur extra fines and penalties.

Avoid Traffic Tickets?

Avoid Parking Tickets?

Rent a Car?

Learn to Drive?

Get a Driver's License?

Buy a New Car?

Buy a Used Car?

Lease a Car?
Insure my Car?

Register my Car?

Repair my Car?