If you’re stopped for a traffic violation, you may be frustrated with receiving a ticket or being required to show up in court. Here are a few quick facts about what you can do next.
What are a few different traffic violations?
Speeding, running a stop sign, running through a red light, violating railroad laws, passing in a no-passing zone and not stopping for pedestrians or school buses are just a few different violations you could be accused of.
Are there any good defenses for traffic violations?
It depends on your situation, but you always have the right to defend your actions. For example, if you are speeding to get someone to the hospital, that might be looked on in a better light than speeding after a night at a bar. If you fail to stop at a stop sign but could see traffic at all angles, that may be a good defense to try as well.
Some other defenses you can try include medical emergencies, such as if you were struggling with a seizure or other medical concerns at the time of the violation. Another may be ignorance, although this may not be an accepted defense by the court. It’s true that some people may be ignorant of some city or state traffic laws, though, particularly if they are not from the city or state where it’s filed against them.
While it’s important to always be aware and to do your best to obey traffic laws, making a mistake here or there is usually not the result of a person who always drives dangerously or negligently. You have the right to defend yourself, and you may be able to have penalties reduced or the case dropped if you can show why you shouldn’t be charged by the court.
Source: B Line Traffic Schools, “Top 10 Moving Traffic Violations and How to Avoid Them,” accessed Sep. 14, 2016