Moving violations are one of the most common reasons Atlanta police officers issue traffic tickets. It’s important to understand how moving violations are determined and how they differ from simple traffic infractions. Here’s what you should know.
The Difference Between Traffic Infractions and Moving Violations
A simple traffic infraction is the least serious violation and the consequences are usually a fixed fine. Parking tickets, failure to produce proof of insurance, a broken headlight, and expired motor vehicle registration are good examples. Typically, these infractions do not result in points added to your Georgia driver’s license.
Moving violations are also considered traffic infractions, but they’re categorized and penalized differently. These are more serious types of infractions that are committed while the vehicle is in motion.
Moving violations are divided into two categories depending on a variety of factors, particularly the violation’s risk of harm to other people. They do add points to your driver’s license, and how many is determined by the seriousness of the offense.
Minor Moving Violations
Minor moving violations include but aren’t limited to:
- Lower speeding offenses
- Failure to yield
- Failure to stop or running a stop sign
- Tailgating
- Failure to yield or stop for a school bus
Major Moving Violations
Major moving violations include:
- Reckless driving
- Driving with an open container of alcohol
- Driving while intoxicated
- Running a red light
- Serious speeding offenses
- Failure to wear a seatbelt
- Failure to properly use child safety restraints
How Traffic Infractions and Moving Violations Affect Your Insurance
Insurance companies and the State of Georgia do not necessarily rank traffic infractions, minor moving violations, and major moving violations the same way.
For example, while you may be penalized with a fine after receiving a traffic ticket for not having a copy of your vehicle registration at the time you were stopped, your insurance company may not consider the offense serious enough to raise your insurance rates.
On the other hand, you may receive minor state penalties for a moving violation like failing to yield to a school bus while your insurance company may take this violation more seriously and hike your rates or drop you from your policy entirely.
Should You Fight Your Traffic Ticket With the Help of an Atlanta Attorney?
If you’ve been issued a ticket for a traffic infraction or moving violation, you can protect your driver’s license and your record with the help of an Atlanta traffic attorney. Contact the Kimbrel Law Firm today at (770) 349-9219.