Penalties for Major Traffic Violations in Florida

If you’re driving in Florida, it’s important to know about the serious traffic violations and the penalties associated with them.

Knowing these punishments can help you make better driving choices and avoid costly mistakes.

You can use the Florida Clerks website to manage Florida traffic tickets online conveniently.

The severity of the penalty often depends on the nature of the violation.

What Is A Traffic Violation?

A traffic violation occurs when a driver fails to abide by the Florida traffic laws that protect Florida’s roadways.

Major violations include moving violations such as speeding, where you exceed the posted speed limits, or running a red light or stop sign.

Committing these actions can lead to varying consequences in Florida, from fines to points on your license.

Also, read more about the NJMCdirect.

Florida enforces strict penalties for major traffic violations, including significant fines, license suspensions, and incarceration. Information about these penalties can help you grasp the seriousness of these offenses.

DUI And Reckless Driving Penalties

You face a DUI charge if you’re caught driving with a Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) of 0.08% or higher.

First offenses typically result in fines ranging from $500 to $1,000, possible imprisonment, and license revocation for a minimum of 180 days.
For a first conviction, penalties can include a fine of $25 to $500, prison for up to 90 days, or both.
A second or subsequent offense may double the potential fines and imprisonment time.

Hit And Run Incidents

If you leave the scene of an accident involving injuries, it’s classified as a hit and run.

The consequences are severe with a mandatory minimum fines of $5,000, and you could be sentenced to up to five years in prison or probation.

Additionally, your driver’s license can be revoked.

Penalties For Excessive Speeding

The severity of your speeding fine in Florida depends on how much you exceed the speed limit.

Fines start at $50 and can exceed $500 for significant violations, particularly in school zones or construction areas.

Receiving points on your license can also lead to higher insurance rates and a license suspension of 3 months to 1 year if point thresholds are exceeded.

Felony Traffic Violations

Felony traffic violations often carry stringent penalties, including jail time, fines, and other legal consequences.

DUI Offenses: If you are convicted of driving under the influence and it’s your third violation within 10 years, it’s classified as a felony.

This could lead to hefty fines, probation, mandatory community service, and even imprisonment.

Serious Bodily Injury: Causing a traffic accident that results in serious bodily injury can be deemed a felony.

Depending on the circumstances, you might face a lengthy jail sentence and the requirement to pay restitution to the injured parties.

Repeat Offenders: If you continue committing major traffic violations, you may be labeled a habitual traffic offender.

This category particularly applies if you’ve amassed a certain number of points on your license within a specific timeframe.

As a repeat offender, the likelihood of facing felony charges and severe penalties increases.

While penalties vary, felony convictions for traffic violations typically involve:

Prison Time: Sentences can extend up to several years, especially for DUI-related offenses causing injury or death.
Fines: Financial penalties can be substantial and are often coupled with other forms of punishment.
Probation: Instead of, or in addition to, imprisonment, you might be placed on probation.
Community Service: Courts frequently require a certain number of hours of community service work.

Consequences For Misdemeanor Traffic Offenses

There are different kinds of traffic violations In Florida that you should know about.

Some serious violations can lead to criminal charges beyond just a traffic ticket.

One example is driving with a suspended license. If you are caught, the police can issue you a ticket, and you may also face jail time, a fine, or both.
Running a red light or not wearing a seat belt are examples of less serious violations that could lead to tickets. These rules keep the roads safe, and the fines can add up and affect your driving ability.
Driving without auto insurance is also against the law in Florida. If you are stopped and cannot show proof of insurance, you may be required to pay a fine. Your license may be suspended if you continue to do this.

Parking tickets and other violations that occur when your car is not moving typically result in a fine and do not add points to your driver’s license.

However, violations when your car moves usually result in points on your license. If you accumulate too many points, your license may be suspended.

Bacon King Nutrition, Dunkin’ Breakfast Menu

FAQ’s

What constitutes a major traffic violation in Florida?

Major traffic violations in Florida include driving under the influence (DUI), driving while license suspended or revoked, reckless driving, and leaving the scene of an accident involving injuries or property damage.

What is the point threshold for license suspension in Florida?

Your license may be suspended if you accumulate 12 points within 12 months.

For 12 points, the suspension is 30 days, for 18 points within an 18-month period, it lasts for 3 months.

Accumulating 24 points within a 36-month period will result in a one-year suspension.

What are the maximum fines for serious traffic violations in Florida?

The maximum fines for serious traffic violations in Florida can exceed $500.

For DUI offenses, fines can range between $500 to $5,000. The amount depends on the number of offenses and the level of blood alcohol concentration.