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How should you respond to a traffic violation?

On Behalf of | Apr 5, 2022 | Uncategorized

Unresolved traffic violations can jeopardize your driving privileges and significantly increase your insurance premium. Your decision to settle your situation proactively can help you maintain your reputation and learn from your mistake so you can avoid another incident.

There are a couple of things you can do to resolve a traffic violation. Excessive points on your driving record might require more time and additional steps to change.

Pay the fine

A monetary fine accompanies most traffic violations. Depending on your offense, the amount you owe could vary substantially. Examples of some traffic violations you may receive a fine for include the following:

  • Speeding in a school zone
  • Failure to yield
  • Running a red light
  • Not wearing a seatbelt
  • Expired registration

You will receive instructions from the authorities that will inform you about making a payment. If you cannot afford to pay in full, you may consider talking to the traffic courts about negotiating a payment plan. Starting to satisfy this debt right away can help you avoid additional consequences.

Attend traffic school

In some cases, you may have the option of attending traffic school to minimize the consequences of a violation. According to Virginia Law, you will need to meet specific eligibility requirements for certain benefits to apply. If you meet these criteria, attending traffic school can have several advantages including lowering the points on your driving record, reducing increases in your insurance premium and dismissing a speeding ticket.

Even if you are not eligible for certain benefits of traffic school, you can always enroll and attend anyway. Hearing a refresher about traffic laws may give you an incentive to improve your habits. Perhaps the best way to prevent additional traffic tickets is to recognize what you did wrong and then resolve to avoid that behavior in the future.

If the traffic violation you face accusations of is not anything you did or is a misunderstanding, you have the right to dispute the situation in traffic court.