Driving recklessly is extremely dangerous but easy to get pulled into if you are not remaining vigilant and careful on the road. Tailgating, weaning in and out of traffic, and speeding are all considered reckless driving. If caught, there can be high penalties, depending on the outcome.
Florida defines reckless driving as any individual driving a vehicle in willful disregard for another person’s safety or property. Reckless driving is considered a misdemeanor in Florida and can land you jail time if the outcome is bad enough. Most charges include a $500 fine, up to 90 days in jail, or both. A second offense will cost these charges to double. If property damage was involved, or you caused injury, you will need a Miami traffic ticket lawyer because these charges are a third-degree offense. You will likely face a fine of $5,000 and up to 5 years in jail.
However, there is a difference between reckless and careless driving. While many get the term confused for one another, they cannot be used interchangeably. Careless driving is speeding, weaving in and out of traffic, tailgating, but does not include the “disregard” for others’ included in reckless driving. Essentially, they are unintentional accidents, but they can still wind up on your record. A Miami expungement attorney can help you dispute these charges if you feel they were given to you unnecessarily.
These charges are typically a fine from $160 to $500 and court costs. You will earn points on your license as well – most moving traffic violations are 3 points, but careless driving typically ends up in four points. You can also get a withhold of adjudication, which means the offense will not end up on your record. However, this is only available where there were no property damages or injuries to others and if it was the first offense.
If you want to fight a traffic ticket, like speeding and running red lights, you may end up in court. You will not have a jury (these trials are referred to as bench trials), and while every case is different, you can expect a few universal things in Traffic Court.
It is no secret that high-risk auto insurance is expensive. A high-risk driver has been deemed more likely to file a claim because of factors such as their age and past driving record, resulting in a higher cost of insurance. However, in the state of Florida, it is exceptionally pricey. Florida has a higher amount of crashes and claims than any other state, with an average death rate of 14.8 in every 100,000 people (the national average is 11). In 2019 alone, there were a total of 401,867 reported crashes, with 2,951 fatalities. 16% of total crashed involved teenage drivers.
If you have been convicted of driving violations such as DUIs and driving without insurance, you may be required to purchase SR-22 or FR-44 insurance in order to reinstate your license.
Earlier this month, South Florida lawmakers sought to gather more aid in backing House and Senate proposals (HB 357 and SB 1474). These bills are aimed at permitting local governments to implement traffic cameras in school zones.
Do you have an expired Florida driver’s license? Some recent changes in Florida law mean you’ll likely face a few additional hurdles when it comes to renewal. On February 1, Florida implemented a new law requiring drivers that have had their license expired for an extended period to retake a vision test and also complete the written portion of the driving exam before they will be allowed to renew.
Let’s say that you ended up receiving a traffic ticket. You now have a thirty-day grace period of sorts to determine how you wish to address the ticket. You may decide to pay the fine and have points added to your license, you could attend traffic school and have the points removed, or you may decide to contest the ticket.
Texting while driving is now a primary offense but if a Florida representative has her way, motorists may eventually be required to go entirely hands-free while on the road. She recently introduced a bill expected to be evaluated during the 2021 legislative season that would make operating a vehicle while “manually holding” or touch wireless devices illegal.
We caution people against drunk driving particularly at this time of year as more drivers are on the road to see families, attend holiday parties, or go holiday shopping. The holidays are when road rage cases tend to escalate. This is often why drivers need to brace themselves for slower flowing traffic.
This year has been wild and full of ups and downs. As scams become more sophisticated, it’s worth being extra careful if something seems awry. For example, it may seem as if you randomly received a new license plate this year for no reason. You don’t recall making such a request, which may make you curious whether it’s legit.