Reader : What are the different traffic violations ? What should one do and what are the insurance implications?

The different traffic violations in most states that you can get involved are :

• Reckless Driving
• Driving with suspended license
• Speeding
• Hit and Run
• Drunk driving.

The traffic violations of reckless driving, DUI or any other offence would lead you to lose your license for up to a year. Your auto insurance rates would sky rocket and be eceptionally high. In fact DUI would lead to a  criminal  record. You might also have job problems, stress and strain.  It might be a best option for you to have a defense atttorney.  The attorney must prove that you were not involved in reckless driving on the highway that would cause an accident or damage to property or life.  The penalties for reckless driving are extensive and the serverity would depend on your driving record and the cirumstances.

The insurance companies would increase the premium very drastically and this would be considered a very high risk which is insured by the speciality insurance underwriters.

Kamlesh

Ruth , San Fransico : What purpose does the ignition interlock law serve?

Drunk driving is a major cause of accidents and loss of life. This leads to high auto insurance rates. According to the National highway traffic safety administration (NHTSA) as per January 2008 – out of 1.5 million impaired drivers who have been arrested o.5 million of them are repeat offenders and do not mend their ways. It has been concluded from the data of 2007, that the drivers you had BAC levels of 0.08 or higher where involved in fatal crashes and had eight times more likely to have some prior conviction fro drinking when compared to the impaired car drivers. This has promoted 47 states now to pass ignition interlock law, which is targeted at repeat offenders. This will go a long way in prevention of accidents. An interlock is fixed in the car which is a device that will lock the ignition and prevent the car from starting if the driver is drunk. Prevention is of Drunk driving is better than the consequences that result from it.

 Have a nice day.

K C Desai.

What are the consequences of major and minor tickets?

Response : A driver knows the consequences of breaking the rules of the road – one is given a tickets for breaking the rules.The minor offences are :

• Making an improper turn;
• Breaking the stop sign rule;
• Wrong parking ;
• Driving without a seat belt.

These are considered minor offences and the demerit points given are usually 2 points. However, this will differ upon the state and the circumstances prevailing – whether you get involved in an accident due to this violation.

The major offences are :

• Speeding is considered a major offence. The speed limit should be strictly maintained. Normally if you are driving over the speed limit of 16-29 an hour – 3 demerit points are applied on your driving license. If you are driving at the speed of 0ver 29-50 per hour than the demerit points are 6.Depending upon the severity your driving license can be revoked and the insurance company can cancel your policy.
• Driving under influence. This is a major offence. The penalty for this is either suspension of your driving license, you are charged and the state rules differ but most states require that you should have a SR22 form for 3 years from an insurance company.

 Normally the rates of insurance do not increase heavily for minor offences but major offences are considered high risk auto insurance risk and the auto insurance premium would increase.

Reader : What is drunk driving? What does blood alcohol concentration measure?

Kamlesh: This term does not accurately characterize the problems which are caused by a car-driver or a motorist who is impaired and driving under influence. The first criminal laws targeted this problem and prohibited only those who were visible drunk from driving. However, research and statistical data proved that even small amounts of alcohol can impair the skills involved in driving. It is true that this might not be the case for all drivers and thus many drivers think that they are not a part of the problem, but the levels of alcohol does affect your presence of mind which is very much necessary on the road. The correct term for this might be “alcohol- impaired driving” rather than drunk driving. If you have been caught driving whilst you are drunk or involved in an accident than your insurance risk is considered a high risk, it is a criminal offence and your license can be ceased.

A BAC indicates the amount of alcohol in a person’s blood, expressed as weight of alcohol per unit of volume of blood. For example, 0.08 percent BAC indicates 80 mg of alcohol per 100 ml of blood. A blood sample is not necessary to determine a person’s BAC. It can be measured more simply by analyzing exhaled breath.

James : When do I need an SR22?

Response :You would need SR22 insurance if any of the below is applicable to you:

• involved in a DUI or DWI ,
• were uninsured;
• were at fault in an accident;
• have received too may tickets in a short period; or
• your driving license was suspended. 

The requirement for SR22 requisites differ from state to state and some states do not require this at all like – Pennsylvania, Oklahoma, New Mexico, Minnesota, Kentucky and Delaware. Incase you already have a SR-22 and move to a state where it is not required than you will have to continue with the SR22 and liability requirement of your former state. SR22 is the form given by the insurance company and it must remain in effect for three years. If for any reason your policy is no longer in force than the insurance company is required to report the same to your state licensing authority ( DMV, DPS, DOL) and your license will be cancelled immediately. Thus it would be necessary to ensure that you have the SR22 certificate and it is valid at all times.

If you need an SR22 you should get it and you can compare your auto insurance quotes online to get low rates for free.

Thanks.

Kamlesh