If you have been driving for a considerable amount of time, you're probably familiar with that pesky piece of paper known as a traffic ticket. Most people consider traffic tickets to be minor inconveniences, as they raise insurance rates and oust you into your state's relentless and unforgiving traffic-ticket system. But sometimes they prompt much more adverse outcomes than wasted time and money. Being ticketed too many times could potentially result in the suspension of a driver's license. People who don't have the time to make a trip to the courtroom to handle a ticket don't fare well either since a missed court date could lead to a warrant for their arrest.
With the advice of a Montgomery County attorney, you will be able to understand how to respond to an infraction to decrease the chances of a disastrous outcome.
Pennsylvania's Point System
Pennsylvania's Department of Transportation (PENNDOT) has a driving record for every licensed motorist in the state. Each traffic violation listed in the PA Vehicle Code that a person is found guilty of is documented as points on this driving record. Here are a few examples of violations that receive points:
- Failing to stop for a red light is 3 points
- Tailgating or following too closely is 3 points
- Failing to stop at a stop sign is 3 points
- Leaving the scene of an accident involving property damages is 4 points
- Failing to yield to a pedestrian in a crosswalk is 2 points
- Failure to stop for a school bus is 5 points
- Failure to stop for a yield sign is 3 points
- An illegal U-turn is 3 points
- Careless driving is 3 points
Essentially, the point system exists to ensure safe driving, by notifying motorists of their bad driving habits and giving them the opportunity to improve. However, once a motorist accumulates six points or more, corrective actions are taken.
The initial accumulation of six points warrants an examination. A driver will receive a written notification stating that this exam must be completed in the next 30 days. If passed in the allocated timeframe, two points will be taken off a motorist's driving record.
The second accumulation of six points requires motorists to attend a DMV hearing. Motorists in this circumstance will receive a written notice detailing the specific time and location of this hearing. During this hearing, an examiner will review said person's driving record and recommend to either suspend a motorist's license for 15 days or order him or her to do an on-road driver's education course.
A subsequent accumulation of six points will require a motorist to attend another DMV hearing, which will only lead to one outcome: a 30-day license suspension.
Certain offenses, like failing to stop for a school bus with flashing lights or driving 31 miles per hour over the speed limit, will result in an automatic license suspension, even for the first offense. Also, driving while your license has been suspended due to a DUI will lead to at least 90 days spent in prison.
Montgomery County Traffic Attorney
An attorney can help you understand the potential repercussions you face after receiving a citation and the options you have to alleviate them. If a traffic citation has the potential to compromise your license, contact our skilled Criminal Law Team for help.
