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Alabama Traffic Attorney Giving You the Representation You Need to Protect Your License and Insurance
Almost every driver will infringe on the Alabama traffic code at some point. After all, who hasn’t gotten a speeding ticket at some point, or a citation for accidentally running a stop sign? In fact, the Alabama Rules of Judicial Administration contains almost six pages worth of things considered traffic offenses. It even includes making an improper U-Turn and “improper horn.” This means if you’re a driver in the state of Alabama, you’ll probably get a ticket at some point in your life, no matter how carefully you attempt to drive.
For most drivers, a traffic ticket is a minor inconvenience. However, the consequences could be major if you’ve acquired numerous tickets for multiple violations. Depending on what the tickets are for and how many you’ve received, you could potentially face the suspension or loss of your license, or drastically increased insurance rates. There are three significant ways to have your license suspended in Alabama:
- Misdemeanor Traffic Violations
- Felony Traffic Violations
- Acquiring Too Many Points on your License
This is why it’s vital to understand the Alabama traffic code and your options if you’ve received multiple tickets.
How are Traffic Violations Determined in Alabama?
The state of Alabama realizes most people at least attempt to be safe drivers and that mistakes and brief lapses in judgment happen. For this reason, the state divides traffic offenses into multiple categories based on their severity. These categories include:
- Traffic Infractions
- Misdemeanor Traffic Violations
- Felony Traffic Violations
Traffic infractions are minor violations such as making an improper u-turn, improper parking, or having a tail light out. These violations are not considered criminal offenses. The remainder of traffic violations are divided between misdemeanors and felonies based on their severity. Misdemeanor traffic violations include:
- Speeding
- Driving Without a License
- Driving Without Insurance
- Driving While Intoxicated (DWI)
- Failure to Stop for an Officer
- Reckless Driving
Misdemeanors are more serious than infractions but not as severe as felonies. Typical punishments for traffic misdemeanors include community service, fines, minor jail time, and/or suspension of your license. Felony traffic violations include:
- Driving Under the Influence (DUI)
- Passing an Unloading School Bus
- Hit and Run Accidents Leading to Injury or Death
- Leaving the Scene of an Accident
- Reckless Endangerment
- Forging Motor Vehicle Documents
- Carjacking
- Discharging a Firearm at Another Vehicle
The state of Alabama takes traffic felonies seriously. Punishments can range from ninety days to ten years in jail, fines ranging from $25 to $15,000, and the suspension or loss of your driver’s license.
How Are Multiple Offenses Determined in Alabama?
Alabama traffic law operates according to a points system. Every time you receive a ticket, a certain number of points are added to your record. Examples of common violations and their points value include:
- Speeding: Five Points
- Failure to Yield: Five Points
- Running a Stop Sign or Red Light: Three Points
- Improper Lane Change: Two Points
- Texting While Driving: Two Points
These are only a few examples. Any violation that does not have a specific point value assigned to it under Alabama law automatically results in two points. Any alcohol related offenses that don’t automatically result in the suspension of your license count for six points.
Acquiring too many points results in the suspension of your driver’s license. The number of points you acquire determines how long your license is suspended. The state of Alabama goes back two years in adding up points. After two years, points are no longer counted against you. The schedule for how long you can lose your license is:
- 12-14 points: 60 Days
- 15-17 points: 90 Days
- 18-20 points: 120 Days
- 21-23 points: 180 Days
- 24 points or more: One Year
The more times you’re pulled over and the more tickets you get, the higher the likelihood you could have your license suspended.
How Do Multiple Traffic Violations Impact my Insurance Rates in Alabama?
Car insurance companies in Alabama take traffic tickets and the state point system into account when determining rates. This is because drivers who receive multiple tickets or who have a higher point score are considered more dangerous. This means they could potentially cost the company more money in the event of an accident. On average, rates can increase 21% even after a single ticket.
There are a few ways to soften the impact of a ticket on your car insurance rates. Some of these include taking defensive driving courses or improving your credit score. Insurance companies tend to view those drivers with higher credit scores as more trustworthy and therefore more responsible overall. However, the best way to avoid a rate increase is to have a ticket dismissed if you receive one.
What Should I Do If I Receive Multiple Traffic Tickets in Alabama?
Depending on the severity of the offense, even one ticket can cost you your license. The odds of losing your license go up with every offense. So does the likelihood of your insurance rates increasing.
If you or a loved one have received one or more traffic tickets, don’t hesitate to contact Jim Golden Law, located at 1916 1st Avenue North Pell City, Alabama 35125, half-a-mile North of the Pell City Boys and Girls Club and one mile East of Pell City High School. Our founding attorney Jim Golden has an extensive background in traffic law, and knows that good people make honest mistakes. He’ll work with you every step of the way to make sure you both keep your license and prevent a costly raise in insurance rates. He understands traffic tickets are something most people will have to deal with at some point, and doesn’t feel people should have to pay a heavy price for simple slip-ups or lapses in judgment.
Traffic tickets can be expensive, and end up costing you more than just money. If you or a loved one have one or more traffic tickets pending, call Jim Golden Law today at 866-950-6652 or email us for a free thirty-minute strategy session. Don’t let some honest mistakes ruin your life.
