Annapolis Traffic Lawyer

If you’ve been given an Annapolis, MD, traffic citation and are not sure exactly how, if at all, it may affect your driving record, read on to learn more. In Maryland, when you have been issued a traffic citation, it can be for anything related to driving – from speeding to a seatbelt violation to a parking ticket. You must carefully follow the directions on the back of the citation to prevent further repercussions for your alleged action. You may want to seek legal advice or consult with an Annapolis traffic lawyer if you are unsure about the best course of action to take.

Traffic Citations in Annapolis, MD

The different types of Annapolis, MD, traffic citations can be categorized in two basic ways: a citation to the driver, or a citation issued to the owner of the vehicle, no matter who was driving at the time of the violation. Most violations fall into the former category, while parking tickets and red light camera tickets fall into the latter category. The citations issued to the owner usually don’t carry any points against the license, while the citations given to the driver may carry points.

Speeding Citations Aren’t Just for Drivers Going 10 MPH Over the Limit

Prior to 2012, it was believed that the bulk of traffic violations in the form of a speeding ticket were for drivers going more than 10 mph over the stated speed limit. But in 2012, the Baltimore Sun reported on the statistics compiled by the District Court of Maryland that seemed to tell a different story. The report found that 26 percent of officer-issued speeding tickets went to drivers going anywhere from 1 to 9 mph over the limit, rather than the commonly held view that tickets were issued to drivers going over 10 mph of the stated speeding limit.
Although the fine and point penalty may be lower for an Annapolis, MD, traffic citation given to a driver only going 1 to 9 mph over the speed limit, those cases certainly add to the gross total of citations issued during a given year. But how are points accumulated, and what effect do they have on your long-term driving record?

How Points Are Accumulated in Annapolis

According to Maryland law, points that are accumulated against your license stay on your driving record for two years from the date of the infraction. Here’s a brief summary of common violations:

• Speeding – 1 to 5 points
• Failure to stop at red light – 2 points
• Failure to properly pass another vehicle – 1 point
• Driving while under the influence of alcohol or drugs – 12 points
• Failure to stop for school bus when its lights are flashing – 3 points
• Failure to make proper U-turn – 1 point
• Driving with a suspended license – 12 points

Effects of Points Against Your Driver’s License

Accumulating points against your license can have a nasty effect on your driving record. Below are some of the repercussions via Maryland’s Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA).

•  3 to 4 points within a two-year period: You will receive a warning letter from the MVA.
• 5 to 7 points within a two-year period: You will be required to enroll in the Driver Improvement Program (DIP).
• 8 to 11 points within a two-year period: Your license will be suspended temporarily.
• 12 or more points: Your license will be revoked.

If you are facing a suspension or revocation of your driver’s license, you will definitely want to obtain the professional advice of an Annapolis, MD, traffic lawyer.

What Violations Result in Possible Suspension?

There are different types of penalties and suspensions for different types of violations. There is one set of penalties and suspensions for regular drivers, another for drivers younger than 18 years old, and yet another for commercial drivers. The following are penalties that may suspend your license:

•  Attempting to flee a pursuing police officer
• Driving under the influence or while impaired.
• Leaving the scene of an accident
• Non-compliance with citation terms in the allotted time
• Turning off headlights to avoid being detected

Driving is a privilege, and receiving an Annapolis, MD, traffic citation and the possible accumulation of points resulting in a suspension or revocation can be devastating. Too many points or a suspension can result in increased insurance rates and may restrict driving privileges. If you are unsure of what the best course of action is to deal with your citation, contact an Annapolis traffic citation attorney today.  The team at our firm is standing by to receive your call, so contact us today to discuss your free, no-commitment consultation.