Traffic Violation Points System

Every state in America has a set of points that assigns a numerical value to the severity of a traffic violation. When the violation goes on a driver's permanent record, he or she will receive a specific amount of points. If and when these points accumulate on the driver's record, the driver will face more punishments that are far more serious and may even include license revocation or suspension. Additionally, drivers will face some serious financial fallout from point accumulation on their driving records from their automobile insurance company. Insurance companies have complete access to point numbers and will often raise premiums, based on the driver's record. The driving privileges and motor vehicle laws pertaining to each individual depend on the state where their driver's license was issued, and each state contains their own specific points system for their drivers. However, generally speaking, most state laws agree that certain offenses should receive a certain amount of points, which are given an overview in the following sections.

Six Point Traffic Violations

Some of the more dramatic driving offenses that are deemed six point offenses can require extremely heavy fines, jail time, or an immediate revocation of a driver's license. These offenses will almost always be tried in criminal courts, rather than being treated as a citationable offense that most traffic violations constitute. Additionally, these charges will be reflected on a driver's permanent record, including the additions of a hefty number of points to the driving record as well. Having a traffic violations attorney represent and counsel anyone arrested for the following traffic violations is best possible legal strategy for offenses including:

• Manslaughter or negligent homicide, or criminal negligence, while driving, causing the death of another driver or a pedestrian
• Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, which from these charges can result a DUI, or a DWI charge, which also goes on the driver's permanent record
• Reckless driving, which can include any number of driving offenses done with gross negligence or maliciousness including racing, speeding, or roadway antics that endanger the lives of drivers and pedestrians
• Eluding a police officer, which include driving away from the scene of a crime, accident, or an arresting officer
• Illegal blood alcohol content, which is also known as driving under the influence of alcohol, DUI, OUI, or DWI depending on the state

Four Point Traffic Violations

Other driving offenses are much less criminal in nature than the aforementioned six-point offense; however, the charges below incur at least four points in the states across the United States in most instances. Some of the more common traffic violations deemed four-point offenses include:

• Drag racing, this is illegal anywhere except a closed racetrack. This activity presents a danger to the driver, other drivers, and bystanders.
• Sixteen miles per hour or more over the posted speed limit, again, the punishments are much more severe in a school or work zone
• Failure to yield to an emergency vehicle, not pulling over to the side of the road, to allow an ambulance or fire truck with its lights and siren through results in serious consequences
• Presence of alcohol in a minor, chemical test reveals that the underage driver was drinking and possesses a blood alcohol content higher than .01% or .02%, depending on the state

Three Point Traffic Violations

The following traffic violations are generally categorized and filed as three-point violations in most states, and these moving violations may include:

• Failure to stop at a crosswalk, or violating the adage of "the pedestrian always has the right-of-way." This can also lead to prosecution for reckless driving, a far more serious offense
• Disobeying a traffic signal, which are put in place to protect all drivers on the road, and ignoring these can result in serious traffic violation charges
• Failure to stop at a railroad crossing, which is a serious threat to the driver of the car and the trains as well
• Eleven to Fifteen miles per hour over the speed limit, this point addition varies from state to state, and depends upon the type of road as well

Two Point Traffic Violations

Often states have rules specifically regarding these relatively minor offenses. Some states allow drivers to suspend the addition of these points to their permanent record given they commit no others during a probationary-like period. Some of these traffic violations, which most drivers will face citation for at one point or another in their driving career include:

• Ten miles per hour or less under the speed limit, again, depends heavily upon the state regulations
• Other moving traffic violations, including not following signs posted that could result in a fine
• Outstanding parking fines or tickets, which if accumulate and are unpaid can result in fines