Florida Traffic Tickets

Traffic tickets are the consequences of moving violations. A moving violation is when acrime is committed by a driver while their vehicle is in motion. In Florida, driving is considered a privilege and not a necessity and all traffic laws are heavily enforced by the police. In order for a person to obtain a valid driver’s they must first learn the laws of the road and a driver is expected to follow those laws throughout their driving history.

Throughout the state of Florida, each county is responsible for enforcing their own traffic laws and each county is responsible for administering the fines and penalties that come with each traffic violation. However, most counties have the same penalties throughout the state.

Penalties & Citations

Below is a list of the most common traffic violations and there penalties:

Speeding

Throughout every roadway there is a speed limit posted and it is a driver’s responsibility to adhere to the current speed limit while driving. The common fines for speeding are:

9 Miles Per Hour Over – $76- $81.00
10-14 MPH Over – $137.50- $155.50
15- 19 MPH Over – $158.50- $180.50
20- 29 MPH Over – $178.50- $205.50
30 MPH & Over – $260.50- $305.50

Speed fines are higher in school zones and construction zones.

Careless Driving

Careless driving is when the driver is unaware that they are operating a vehicle in a way that is potentially dangerous to others. Careless driving is different from reckless driving because reckless driving is when a driver knows that they are driving in a dangerous manner.

The penalties for careless driving depend on the circumstances of the ticket but are typically, a fine up to $500 and 4 points on a person’s driver’s license.

Violation of a Traffic Control Device

A violation of a traffic device charge occurs when a person does not follow the protocol for traffic devices such as signs and signals.

The penalties for traffic control device violations differ depending on the traffic control device the driver did not abide by. Common traffic control devices that driver’s get ticketed for are:

• Failure to yield or stop at a stop sign or yield sign
• Running a red light
• Illegal U-turn
• Ignoring flashing lights or portable/temporary signs
• Encroaching on a crosswalk
• Breaking speed limit
• Railroad crossing infractions

The fines for traffic control violations are typically between $100 and $300 dollars and three to four points will be added to a person’s driver’s license. However, if people were injured or an accident occurred from the violation, higher fines will be charged and further penalties will be administered, such as jail time.

Violation of Right of Way

It is a driver’s responsibility to know the laws of the road and the meaning of traffic control devices so they know when they have the right of way or when other drivers have the right of way. If a driver does not adhere to the rules when another driver has the right of way, such as at a four way stop or a yield sign, they can be charged with a right of way violation.

A violation of right away citation will add at least three points to an individual’s driver’s license, as well as fines ranging from $65.00- $300.00. If violation of right of way results in a pedestrian injury or if an accident occurs, the driver may be penalized with jail time.

Improper Lane Change

When a driver attempts to change or does change lanes without an open and clear path, they can be charged with an improper lane change violation.

A violation of an improper lane change can add at most, three points to an individual’s driver’s license and carries a fine between $65.00- $300.00.

Running a Red Light

It is a driver’s responsibility to stop their vehicle at the designated line at an intersection when there is a red light.

Florida now has red light cameras at intersections that record a video and take pictures of driver’s running red lights. The fine for running a red light is currently $158 if caught by the camera. If an officer pulls an individual over for running a red light the fine may be higher depending on the circumstances. If an injury or fatality occurs from the violation, then the penalties will be higher.

Improper Passing

Before a driver passes another vehicle, the driver should make sure there is enough space to make a complete pass safely and that they are in a passing zone. If the driver does not make a safe pass they can receive a ticket for improper passing. Improper passing is most commonly cited when other incidents occur from making an illegal pass, such as an accident.

The penalties for an improper pass vary greatly on the incidents that occur from the driver making an improper pass, since the majority of these citations occur after an accident or injury happened. Improper passing will result in a fine, as well as points accrued on one’s license, and could lead to jail time.

Running a Stop Sign

When a driver approaches a stop sign they are required to come to a complete stop at the limit line or marked line. If there is no limit line then the driver must come to a complete stop at the entrance to the intersection.

Fines for running a stop sign typically range up to $200 and a person will acquire 4 points against their driver’s license. Penalties for running a stop sign will be higher in an accident or injury occurred.

Failure to Yield

There are numerous ways that a person can receive a failure to yield ticket. A failing to yield ticket can relate to any aspect of driving in which a person did not yield to another vehicle or pedestrian when they should have.

A failure to yield fine can be as high as $500 and even higher if further citations are given, such as reckless driving citations, or if an accident or injury occurs. In addition, a failure to yield citation will result in points being added to a person’s license.

Additional Penalties

With all moving violations and traffic tickets issued a person will have points added to their license due to Florida’s point system. These points will cause insurance rates to rise and can result in a person losing their license as well as a person losing their job.

Officers, just like everybody else, make mistakes and a person who is ticketed for a moving violation should fight their charge in order to prevent them from paying hefty fines, having higher insurance rates or having their license revoked.

Contact Us Today

Call Finebloom, Haenel& Higgins at 1-800-FIGHT-IT (1-800-344-4848). Ask your questions and get answers from our friendly staff that are available 24/7 to help you get your charges dismissed or reduced. We here at Finebloom, Haenel& Higgins have won thousands of cases involving traffic violations and we have the knowledge and experience you need in a good attorney. Call us anytime and let us help you.