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Motor Vehicle Traffic Ticket Point System

Motor Vehicle Traffic Ticket Point System

Each state has a system that assigns a point value to different kinds of traffic offenses, used by the state’s motor vehicle department to keep track of the driving records of all licensed drivers in the state. More serious offenses have higher point values, whereas minor violations are assigned minimal points.

The Traffic Ticket “Points” System

Each state has a system that assigns a point value to different kinds of traffic offenses, used by the state’s motor vehicle department to keep track of the driving records of all licensed drivers in the state. More serious offenses have higher point values, whereas minor violations are assigned minimal points. For example, in one state, failure to come to a complete stop at a stop sign might be worth two points, while driving thirty miles per hour over the posted speed limit might be valued at four points. An example of how the points might break down is given below. Although this listing of offenses is not exhaustive and point systems vary from state-to-state, this example shows the relative values that might be assigned by a particular state, based on the seriousness of the offense.

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Six Points

  • Manslaughter, negligent homicide, or another felony involving the use of a motor vehicle
  • Operating under the influence of alcohol or drugs
  • Failing to stop and give identification at the scene of an accident
  • Reckless driving
  • Unlawful blood-alcohol content (BAC) level
  • Refusal to take a chemical test
  • Fleeing or eluding a police officer

Four Points

  • Drag racing
  • Impaired driving
  • Any blood-alcohol level in a driver under twenty-one years of age
  • Sixteen miles per hour or more over the legal speed limit
  • Failure to yield to an emergency vehicle
  • Three Points

  • Careless driving
  • Disobeying a traffic signal or stop sign or improper passing
  • Eleven to fifteen miles per hour over the legal speed limit
  • Failure to stop at a railroad crossing
  • Failure to stop for a school bus or disobeying a school crossing guard
  • Two Points

  • Ten miles per hour or less over the legal speed limit
  • All other moving violations of traffic laws
  • Refusal of breath test for alcohol content by a driver under twenty-one years of age

  • If a driver accumulates a certain number of points within a given time frame, his or her driving privileges can be suspended. Insurance companies also have access to this information and may use it as a basis to raise insurance premiums.

    Traffic Tickets “Points” System: Get Help Now

    Even good, safety-focused drivers can be charged with a traffic violation. If you have been issued a traffic ticket and would like to learn more about the potential impact on your driving record and car insurance rates (and about your rights to “fight” the ticket) the best place to start is to speak with an experienced Traffic Ticket Attorney in your area. A Traffic Ticket Attorney will evaluate all aspects of your case and explain all options available to you — including the administrative procedure and driving record penalties you can expect — and will work with you to ensure the best possible outcome for you.

  • 10 miles below the last posted speed limit in a school zone 45 minutes before and after school hours.
  • 30 MPH in any business or residential district.
  • 35 MPH in any rural residence district.
  • A maximum of 45 MPH in any construction zone.*
  • 55 MPH on general parkways and highways.
  • 65 MPH on the interstate system, the Central NH Turnpike, and the Eastern NH Turnpike.
  • 70 MPH from mile marker 45 on I-93 to the Vermont border.
  • *All fines are and penalties accrued can be doubled in a construction zone.

    Vehicles without proper headlights such as many ATV’s and Mopeds cannot be driven more then 45 MPH.

    Motor Vehicle Traffic Ticket Point System

    Listening to Officers

    When approached by an officer while driving or in charge of a vehicle, no person shall:

    • Refuse to give the name, address, date of birth, and/or name/address of vehicle owner.
    • Falsify any information given to the officer.
    • Purposely neglect to stop when ordered to by an officer.
    • Refuse to sign one’s name in the presence of an officer.
    • Refuse to produce license or registration while pulled over.
    • Anyone who commits one of the 5 above infractions is guilty of a Class “A” misdemeanor and subject to a fine of $500 or more.

    General Information

    Complying with Sobriety Checkpoints is mandatory. Sobriety Checkpoints can only be set up under order from the Superior Court of the State. The State will always take action to notify driver’s in advance of Sobriety Checkpoint setups.

    Every driver must follow the lawful direction of any police officer with authority to direct, control, or regulate traffic. The fine for not following police directions on the road is $100. This also goes for following traffic direction from Flagpersons and Crossing Guards.

    People riding animals or animal-drawn vehicles are to be treated as any other driver on the road.

    One must give right-of-way to any highway construction or maintenance personnel vehicles or employees.

    It is illegal to interfere or tamper with any traffic devices, signs, or signals.

    Any operator must drive on the right side of the road.

    Pedestrians have right-of-way for the full duration they are in a crosswalk.

    It is the responsibility of the driver to exercise due care when driving to avoid pedestrians, and understand the directions given by signals and signs.

    Drivers are also expected to do everything they can to avoid creating lane blockages or “gridlock.”

    Pedestrians are not allowed to solicit rides or business on the side of the road (hitch hiking).

    Operators cannot pass a school bus while on a single lane road. While the school bus has its lights flashing, it is the responsibility of the driver to stay 25 feet behind the school bus.

    Electronic Devices

    While on the road, it is the driver’s sole responsibility to drive the proper speed. There will always be signs on the side of the road which indicate what the speed limit of the road are. While the following penalties are for driving too fast, it is also the responsibility of the driver to drive a safe and responsible speed.

    If there is no sign indicating the proper speed for the road, here are the general rules:

    “Bluetooth” and other hand-free devices and services are allowed provided they do not take the driver’s attention off of the road. Drivers under 18 are not allowed to use hands-free devices.

    Distracted driving is a $100 fine for a first offense, and then increases to $250 and $500 for subsequent offenses. Drivers under 18 face license suspension for violations of this rule.

    Speeding

    While operating a motor vehicle, the driver must be 100% hands free effective July 1, 2015.

    This means cell phones cannot be used, even at red lights and stop signs. The only time the driver is allowed to use a phone and drive is in an instance where the driver is connected to 911 for emergency service.

    “Bluetooth” and other hand-free devices and services are allowed provided they do not take the driver’s attention off of the road. Drivers under 18 are not allowed to use hands-free devices.

    Distracted driving is a $100 fine for a first offense, and then increases to $250 and $500 for subsequent offenses. Drivers under 18 face license suspension for violations of this rule.

    Speeding Penalties

    Penalties according to miles per hour above the speed limit:

    • 1-10 $50
    • 11-15 $75
    • 16-20 $100
    • 21-25 $200
    • 26+ Minimum $350 and must appear in court.
    • Penalties escalate in severity when violations occur in a 65 MPH zone:

    • 1-5 $65
    • 6-10 $100
    • 11-15 $150
    • 16-20 $250
    • 21-25 $350
    • 26+ >$350 and must appear in court.

    Racing

    Any type of vehicle racing on public roads such streets or highways is completely prohibited. This goes for any type of vehicle, including mopeds and bicycles. Organized time trials are also not allowed. Getting caught Road Racing carries a minimum of a reckless driving charge, with the following penalties:

    • First Offense: $500 minimum fine, 60 day minimum license suspension.
    • Second Offense: $750 minimum fine, license suspension between 60 days and 12 months.
    • The Negligent Driving charge also carries the same penalties as the reckless driving charge.

      Parking

      Cars cannot be stopped, stood, or parked in the following 15 places:

      • In an intersection
      • On a sidewalk
      • On any railroad tracks
      • Wherever signs forbid parking
      • On any curved parts of a curb
      • In any type of disabled parking without proper documentation
      • On a bridge
      • In any construction zone
      • In front of a driveway
      • Within 15 feet of a fire hydrant
      • Within 20 feet of a crosswalk
      • Within 30 feet of a flashing signal
      • Within 50 feet of a railroad crossing
      • Wherever signs prohibit parking
      • Wherever a police officer has cordoned off
      • Vehicles cannot be left unattended without the ignition being off and the car being locked.

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