TRAFFIC OFFENSES
TRAFFIC OFFENSES
If you’ve been charged with a traffic violation in North
Carolina, there are some things that you need to know:
- Many
people think that the best thing to do is to pay off their ticket.
That is almost never true. If you simply pay the
court cost and fine without hiring an attorney or attending court, you are
admitting guilt and will be convicted of the infraction or moving
violation, usually resulting in points against your license and insurance
points that may mean an increase in your rates that will last up to 3 years.
- The
attorneys at Gorenflo Bierbaum & Campbell, PLLC can assist you byminimizing the negative consequences of your
traffic stop.
Our attorneys are experienced
in negotiating reductions in charges for traffic violations and often able
to reduce a traffic charge to a non-moving violation that carries no point
penalty on license or insurance.
- Many
out-of-state drivers assume that the points for a North Carolina
conviction will not affect their licenses.
That is usually not the case.
In this age of connectivity, many states have reciprocal arrangements which
report out-of-state violations and count them against your driving record. If you don’t respond proactively, you may
suffer negative consequences or rate hikes that could have been avoided.
Gorenflo Bierbaum & Campbell, PLLC provides legal
representation for individuals charged with traffic violations and infractions
from many North Carolina counties, including:
- Moore
County
- Montgomery
County
- Richmond
County
- Lee
County
- Chatham
County
Some traffic offenses, such as no insurance, hit
and run, reckless driving and driving while license revoked
are also criminal offenses punishable by incarceration. It is important to speak with the attorneys
at Gorenflo Bierbaum & Campbell, PLLC to determine the possible
consequences of your driving violation.
Don’t take chances.
Call us NOW
(910) 673-1325
Downloadable forms for your convenience
TRAFFIC POINTS
In North Carolina, The Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV)
assigns points for convictions of traffic violations and infractions as set out
below. If you accumulate 12 or more
points within a 3-year period, NC DMV may suspend your license. The first suspension for points shall be for
no more than 60 days. The second shall
not exceed 6 months. Any subsequent
suspension shall not exceed 1 year.
If you are in danger of losing your license for accumulating
too many points, NC DMV may allow you to attend the Driver Improvement
Clinic and have 3 points removed from your driving record. Unfortunately, the reduction on your record
will not remove any insurance points.
You can only take the Driver Improvement Clinic once every 5 years.
Schedule of Driver’s License Points (NC)
5 points
- Passing
a stopped school bus
4 points
- Reckless
driving
- Hit
and run, property damage only
- Following
too closely
- Driving
on the wrong side of the road
- Illegal
passing
3 points
- Running
through a stop sign
- Speeding
in excess of 55 miles per hour
- Failing
to yield the right of way
- Running
through a red light
- No
driver’s license or license expired more than one year
- Failure
to stop for siren
- No
liability insurance
- Speeding
in a school zone
2 points
- All
other moving violations
- Failure
to properly restrain a child in a restraint or seatbelt
1 point
- Littering
involving use of a motor vehicle
0 points
- Seat
Belt violation
- Improper
equipment/plates/registration/muffler/inspection sticker display
INSURANCE POINTS AND RATE INCREASES
Auto liability insurance rates for North Carolina
licensed drivers are determined by 5 factors:
1.
Basic North Carolina auto insurance rates set out in the North
Carolina Personal Automobile Manual. See
also the NC Rate Bureau.
2.
Insurance points accumulated during the past 3 years for
moving violations and accidents.
3.
Whether their insurance company has transferred their coverage
to the reinsurance facility.
4.
What region of North Carolina they live in.
5.
Whether they have 3 years or less of driving experience
Table of Insurance Points (NC)
12 Points
- Manslaughter
or negligent homicide resulting from the operation of a motor vehicle
- Prearranged
highway Racing
- Failure
to stop and render aid when involved in an accident resulting in bodily
injury or death (Felony Hit and Run)
- Impaired
driving
10 Points
- Highway
racing
- Speeding
to Elude
8 Points
- Operating
a motor vehicle while license or registration revoked or suspended
4 Points
- Failure
to stop and render aid when involved in an accident resulting in property
damage only (Misdemeanor Hit and Run)
- Reckless
driving
- Passing
a stopped school bus
- Speeding
in excess of 75 mph when posted speed is less than 70 mph
- Speeding
in excess of 80 mph when posted speed is 70 mph or greater
- Driving
by person under the age of 21 after consuming alcohol or drugs
3 Points
- Each
at-fault accident that results in bodily damage (over $1,800.00) or death
OR total property damage of $3,000.00 or more
2 Points
- Illegal
passing
- Speeding
more than 10 mph over the speed limit, if total speed is greater than 55
mph but less than 78 mph
- Speeding10
mph or less over the speed limit, in speed zone greater of 55 mph or
greater
- Following
too closely
- Driving
on the wrong side of the road
- Each
at-fault accident that results in total property damage in excess of
$1,800.00 but less than $3,000.00
1 Point
- Speeding10
mph or less over the speed limit, in speed zone less than 55 mph
- Any
other moving violation
- Each
at-fault accident that results in total property damage of $1,800.00 or
less
The number of insurance points a driver receives will
determine the surcharge which will be added to their insurance costs.
Insurance Surcharge Table
Points Surcharge
1
25%
2
45%
3
65%
4
90%
5
120%
6
150%
7
180%
8
220%
9
260%
10
300%
11
350%
12
400%
