5 Common Traffic Violations

Our legal team at Lessem, Newstat & Tooson, LLP knows that traffic tickets are both expensive and annoying. That is why it is important to be aware of the common traffic violations police officers tend to cite drivers for. Below, we take a look at five avoidable traffic violations so you can avoid getting a ticket in the future.

#1: Driving Under the Influence

Penalties for driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol are harsh and can include fines in the thousands of dollars, suspension of your driver’s license, and even jail time. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), more than 10,000 people die each year from drunk driving accidents. This is why it is crucial to always designate a sober driver and to avoid getting behind the wheel if you decide to consume alcohol.

#2: Distracted Driving

Distracted driving can range from texting or answering your cellphone, to talking with passengers in the car or fiddling with the radio. If an action takes your attention away from what’s happening on the road, then it counts as distracted driving. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 2,841 people died due to distracted driving in 2018.

#3: Running a Red Light

According to a 2019 AAA report, 939 people were killed in 2017 as a result of drivers running red lights. This represents a 10 year high. Red light tickets are among the priciest traffic violations you can be cited for. Traffic signals are put in place to reduce and prevent accidents, which is why you need to slow down instead of speeding up when approaching a yellow traffic light.

#4: Reckless Driving

Reckless driving occurs when individuals act negligently while they are behind the wheel. Failing to signal to indicate a turn, excessive lane changing, improper passing, and running stops signs are all common examples of reckless driving. Statistics from Driver Knowledge reveal that roughly one in three fatal car accidents are caused by reckless driving.

#5: Speeding

Speeding tickets are the most common traffic violations we handle at Lessem, Newstat & Tooson, LLP. According to the NHTSA, 9,378 people died from accidents caused by speeding in 2018. Pay close attention to posted speed limits when you are driving, especially in residential neighborhoods and city roads.

Consult with Our Dedicated Traffic Offenses Lawyers Today

Although most traffic offenses are treated as infractions, incidents that cause injury to a person or destroy property can be reclassified as a misdemeanor or felony. When you have been charged with a traffic misdemeanor or felony for a traffic offense, you need a skilled criminal defense attorney to represent you. We are serious about protecting our clients’ rights, and we are prepared to use our full resources to defend their best interests.

Call our law firm at (800) 462-7160 to request a consultation with our attorneys today.

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