How Much is a Red Light Ticket?
Receiving a red light ticket is displeasing and an expensive affair. It does not only interfere with your day but also affects your finances greatly. In this article, we’ll discuss those factors that influence the cost of red light ticket, possible penalties and tips for avoiding such violations.
Factors affecting the cost of Red Light Ticket.
Other factors that are used to determine the costs involved in red light tickets include:
- Location: The red light tickets also have a varying rate in different jurisdictions. There exist different fine structures in different states and cities.
- Severity: In certain instances, the duration of breach of the red light by the driver might be a determining factor on the cost of the ticket. The longer the period for which the violation continues, the more the penalty.
- Prior Offenses: Repeat offenders are likely to be subjected to more fines or other penalties. There are some jurisdictions that have progressive penalty system where fines increase in case of subsequent offence.
Potential Penalties
Other than a monetary punishment, red light violations carry other penalties.
- Points on Your Driving Record: Depending on your jurisdiction, a red light violation will lead to charging you points in your driving record. Excessive piling up of points may lead to a suspended license or go to traffic school.
- Increased Insurance Premiums: Red light violations are considered an indicator of risky driving by the insurance companies. You may therefore end up paying high premiums for your insurance.
- Traffic School: In some instances, the drivers may have to go through traffic school to account for part of their penalty. Traffic school educates and creates awareness to combat future violations and strengthen driving behavior.
Measures to take to avoid red light violation
You can save yourself from the cost and expenses imposed by red light violations through preventing them. Following are some of the tips that will help keep you on the right side of the law.
- Stay Alert: Watch your surroundings and focus on the traffic signals. Distracted driving heightens chances of failure to observe a red traffic light and commit a violation.
- Plan Ahead: If your time does not permit, then give yourself more time to travel. Speeding may cause rash decision-making at the crossroads, thus making them more predisposed to red light violation offense.
- Yellow Means Slow Down: Do not rush when you see a yellow light but slow down. Be ready to pull over at the intersection if there is a chance to do so safely in the event the light changes to red.
- Be Cautious at Intersections: Intersections can be unpredictable. Look out for pedestrians, cyclists, and other vehicles that will not follow the traffic signals.
Conclusion
Although the price tag of red light ticket might differ based on different factors, it is always better to prevent the offense altogether. Red light violations can be accompanied by dire financial and legal implications, which can be reduced if careful and cautious driving is observed. If you keep in mind the tips enlisted in this article, then you can minimize the odds of getting a red light ticket and keep your driving record clean.
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