If you have been charged with a ticket for failure to stop in Florida, you may be wondering what it means and how it will affect you. Florida follows a traffic point system implemented by the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles. The system assigns a point value to various traffic violations depending on potential danger and severity. If you have questions regarding the system, a Miami Beach traffic ticket lawyer can help clarify.
What does it mean to be ticketed for a failure to stop in Florida?
Under the point system, failure to stop will add 4 points to your license, as it is a form of ignoring traffic control devices. You may also receive a fine and it is possible that your insurance company could increase your rates. By itself this infraction is not too severe, as other violations could earn you up to 6 points on your record. Yet this is not a matter to be taken lightly. Though the point value in itself is not high, it can add up quickly if you have other violations on your record.
If you receive 12 points within a 12-month period, your license will be suspended for a minimum of 30 days.
If you receive 18 points within an 18-month period, your license will be suspended for a minimum of 3 months.
If you receive 24 points within a 36-month period, you license will be suspended for a minimum of 1 year.
What Action You Can Take in Defense
Depending on the case, you may be able to opt for a driver improvement course either to lessen or remove points from your license. This course will be taken online or in person. An exception to this opportunity is that commercial drivers are ineligible to opt out of points on their records.
Taking the course can help you in the following ways:
- points may be taken off of your record;
- if you had a fine it may be decreased; and
- your insurance company would be unable to increase your rates because of the violation.
If you have been ticketed for failure to stop in Florida, you should consult a Miami Beach traffic ticket lawyer if you have any questions or concerns. He or she can advise you on what action would be in your best interest, depending on the specific violation.