Will traffic tickets lead to imprisonment? This may be the most negative consequence for getting a traffic ticket, but usually, only those convicted with serious traffic violations have high possibility of ending up in jail. Some of the most serious traffic violations include reckless driving, and of course, drunk driving.
Most state laws do not let the judge sentence a traffic offender to jail for speeding or simply beating the red light violations. Even in states that allow judges to sentence traffic offenders to jail, their judges don’t usually practice that power.
You may not end up in jail for getting a traffic ticket, but if you treat it with neglect, you may have to pay big fines, have your insurance rates increase significantly, or end up losing your driver’s license.
Pay stiff fines
The standard fines for over-speeding and other sign violations costs $75 to $300, depending on the state and the severity of the violation. Courts place hurdles and easy options to pay your fines because it is expensive to have court hearings. Paying the fines may be convenient, but there will be a long-term negative effect due to the violation you have committed. The violation will show up in your driving record and will stay there for three years. To avoid this, you can pay the fine in association with undergoing traffic school.
Significant increase in your insurance rates
Normally, for simple moving violations, your insurance rates won’t increase for three to five years, depending on your insurance company policies and the laws in the state you are in. However, if you accumulate two or more moving violations, or a violation with an at-fault accident, then your insurance premiums will definitely increase. It would be best to talk to your insurance providers about their policies when it comes to traffic violations, to determine whether it is best to fight your ticket, pay the fine, or go to traffic school.
Revocation or suspension of license
Speeding or failing to stop on a red light or on a stop sign doesn’t lead to revocation or suspension of driver’s license right away, unless you are under 18 years old. Drunk driving, hit-and-run, reckless driving combined with previous traffic convictions will result to the suspension of your driver’s license. Most states follow a point system to determine when to suspend someone’s driver’s license. If someone gets three or more traffic tickets in a short span of time, then his or her license is at risk of getting suspended.
