Traffic Violation Law


Traffic Violation Law


Traffic Law is regulated and enforced by local, state and federal laws and legislation. Traffic violations range from running a red light to speeding, DUI / DWI and subsequent penalties can lead to imprisonment according to the seriousness of the offense.

To consult Motor Vehicle laws and regulations in your State visit our Department of Motor Vehicles by State page.

To consult Transportation laws and regulations in your State visit our Department of Transportation by State page.

Traffic Laws - US

  • American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators (AAMVA) - Law Enforcement

    The Law Enforcement Discipline deals with issues surrounding law enforcement and the promotion of traffic/highway safety. The Law Enforcement Discipline exists to promote highway safety and security within the motor vehicle administration community. Goals: * Combine the interests of law enforcement and motor vehicle administrators for the enhancement of highway safety and homeland security. * Strive for viable communication and coordination among all traffic safety organizations. * Encourage the continuing education of law enforcement and motor vehicle administrators. * Encourage technological advancement and the use of such devices and techniques for the improvement of law enforcement services. * Promote uniformity, consistency and simplicity in the enforcement and administration of motor vehicle laws and regulations.

  • Misdemeanor And Felony Traffic Tickets

    Most traffic tickets are issued for traffic offenses called "infractions" -- including tickets for mechanical violations and most non-dangerous moving violations. Infractions do not usually carry the same stigma and penalties as serious criminal offenses. But certain traffic-related offenses are categorized as "misdemeanors" or even "felonies" and can result in more significant fines, loss of driving privileges or even imprisonment.

  • National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)

    NHTSA was established by the Highway Safety Act of 1970 to carry out safety programs previously administered by the National Highway Safety Bureau. Specifically, the agency directs the highway safety and consumer programs established by the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act of 1966, the Highway Safety Act of 1966, the 1972 Motor Vehicle Information and Cost Savings Act, and succeeding amendments to these laws.

  • Speed Management Safety - Federal Highway Administration

    Speeding—traveling too fast for conditions or in excess of the posted speed limits—is a factor in almost one-third of all fatal crashes and costs America approximately $27.7 billion dollars in economic costs each year. Speeding is a safety concern on all roads, regardless of their speed limits. Much of the public concern about speeding has been focused on high-speed Interstates. The Interstate System, however, actually has the best safety record of all roads and the lowest fatality rate of all road classes. Almost 50 percent of speeding-related fatalities occur on lower speed collector and local roads, which carry only 27.9 percent of the total vehicle miles traveled in the United States. Collector roads usually have legal speed limits of 55 mi/h or less. Speed limits on local roads are often 35 mi/h or lower.

  • Speeding Education, Public Information and Enforcement Policy

    State and local enforcement should focus on the types of drivers and situations where speeding has a significant impact on public safety. Speed enforcement must be complemented by focused public information and education campaigns. Research shows that compliance with, and support for, traffic laws can be increased through aggressive, targeted enforcement combined with vigorous public information and education program. This approach has been successful in addressing impaired driving, occupant protection, red-light running, and commercial motor vehicle safety issues. Public information and education also contribute to public support for speed management by increasing the awareness of the consequences of speeding.

  • State Traffic and Speed Laws

    Almost all states have laws defining a speed limit that is in effect when no limit is posted. This default speed limit is called the "statutory speed limit". Except as noted below it is the same as the maximum speed limit.

  • Tickets and Driving Schools by State

    At The Unofficial DMV Guide, we encourage you to make safe driving a priority. For your convenience, we've provided easy-to-follow details on how to find local traffic schools and defensive driving courses that may help you lessen the impact of too many traffic tickets. And, if you've recently received a traffic ticket, The Unofficial DMV Guide can tell you how to interpret the citation, help you find out how the ticket will affect your driving record and auto insurance rates, or advise how to fight the ticket if you believe you're not guilty of the offense.

  • Traffic Tickets - Definition

    A traffic ticket is a summons and citation issued by police officers to motorists and other road users who fail to obey traffic laws. Traffic tickets generally come in two forms, citing a moving violation, such as exceeding the speed limit, or a non-moving violation, such as a parking ticket. Traffic tickets are generally heard in traffic court.

  • US Department of Transportation

    The mission of the Department is to: Serve the United States by ensuring a fast, safe, efficient, accessible and convenient transportation system that meets our vital national interests and enhances the quality of life of the American people, today and into the future.

Traffic Laws - Europe

  • Enforcement of Traffic Rules - European Commission - Transportation

    Enforcement of traffic rules means making sure that they are being applied. Different aspects or stages are part of enforcement: checks to find and pursue violations of traffic rules and sanctions imposed on violators of the rules. Sanctions can be imposed in different ways, for instance directly on the spot (e.g. on-the-spot-fines), automatically as a follow-up of checking violations (e.g. by automated speed cameras), by separate administrative decisions or by court decisions.

  • Road Safety Action Programme (2003-2010) - EU Legislation

    Of all modes of transport, transport by road is the most dangerous and the most costly in terms of human lives. For this reason, the Road Safety Action Programme (2003-2010) proposes a series of measures such as stepping up checks on road traffic, deploying new road safety technologies, improving road infrastructure and measures to improve users' behaviour. The ultimate objective is to halve the number of people killed on the roads by 2010.

  • Traffic Offences: MEPs for Effective Cross-border Enforcement - European Parliament

    At present, drivers committing an offence under the Highway Code in a Member State other than their own often avoid paying the penalty imposed on local drivers. The European Parliament approved legislation to ensure that drivers will be able to be identified and fined for offences they commit anywhere in the EU. Speeding, drink-driving, not wearing a seat belt and failing to stop at a red light should all be covered by the proposal.

Traffic Laws - International

  • The Traffic Law and Lawyers Portal in Canada

    The goal of this site is to provide the latest in traffic laws in Canada. The ministry of transportation is a good start for seeking out the "rules of the road. There are several companies which specialize in fighting traffic infractions and free resources that can be found on the internet which contain useful information to start your journey to fighting traffic tickets in Canada.

Organizations Related to Traffic Laws

  • AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety

    The AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety is dedicated to saving lives and reducing injuries on the roads. It is a not-for-profit, publicly-supported charitable educational and research organization. Since 1947, the Foundation has funded over 200 projects designed to discover the causes of traffic crashes, prevent them, and minimize injuries when they do occur. We have used this research to develop dozens of focused, high-impact educational materials for drivers, pedestrians, bicyclists and other road users.

  • National Committee on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (NCUTCD)

    The National Committee on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (NCUTCD) or the "National Committee" is an organization whose purpose is to assist in the development of standards, guides and warrants for traffic control devices and practices used to regulate, warn and guide traffic on streets and highways. The NCUTCD recommends to the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and to other appropriate agencies proposed revisions and interpretations to the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) and other accepted national standards. NCUTCD develops public and professional awareness of the principles of safe traffic control devices and practices and provides a forum for qualified individuals with diverse backgrounds and viewpoints to exchange professional information.

  • National Committee on Uniform Traffic Laws and Ordinances (NCUTLO)

    The National Committee on Uniform Traffic Laws and Ordinances is a private, non-profit membership organization dedicated to providing uniformity of traffic laws and regulations through the timely dissemination of information and model legislation on traffic safety issues.

Publications Related to Traffic Laws

  • Different Types of Traffic Violations

    Traffic violations are generally divided into two categories: parking violations and moving violations. Moving violations are the more serious of the two, carry stiffer penalties, and occur while the vehicle is in motion. Among moving traffic violations, speeding is the most common. If the driver's manner of speeding is also posing a threat to the lives of pedestrians or other traffic, he or she might also be charged with reckless endangerment. Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol are also traffic violations, as is driving a vehicle that is in unsafe condition —- for instance a vehicle with a broken windshield. In some states, using a cell phone while driving is illegal unless it is a "hands-free" style. Other traffic violations include not using a child's safety seat for small children and failing to fasten your safety belt.

Articles on HG.org Related to Traffic Law

  • Georgia's New "Texting" While Driving Law.
    What exactly is prohibited by Georgia's new statute and what are the consequences if you violate it?
  • Texting Accidents and Laws in Arizona
    Many states in the US have instituted laws against cell phone use while driving. This article discusses the dangers of using cell phones to send text messages while driving. Phoenix currently has laws in place banning text messaging while driving. This article discusses the potential for automobile accidents as a result of inattentive drivers using cell phones to send text messages while driving. This article also outlines the penalties involved if a person is caught texting while driving.
  • Studies Proving Accident Risks of Distracted Driving
    There’s always time to bring more attention to the problem of distracted driving. This is a subject that is not going to be beaten to death any time soon, not as long as more than 25% of all accidents are traced to distracted driving.
  • Is New York’s Fight against Distracted Driving Effective?
    New York passed legislation outlawing texting and e-mailing while driving.
  • Do Speeding Tickets Follow You from State to State?
    Drivers who get tickets while on vacation or driving in other states should know that infractions can affect their ability to drive at home, due to national driving databases.
  • Traffic Accidents on Nevada's I-15
    Interstate 15 (or I-15) has long been considered one of the most dangerous roads in the US. In a 2005 MSNBC Dateline report, 1-15 was listed as the most dangerous high-speed road while a recent MSN list dubbed the infamous roadway as one of the "Highways to Hell." Over a five year period, 173 people died while traveling on Highway 15.
  • Tragic Truck Accident Effects Change in Oklahoma
    Currently, the posted maximum speed on the Will Rogers Turnpike is 75 mph. If passed, Garrison’s bill would reduce the maximum legal speed for commercial drivers from 75 mph to 65 mph.
  • Penalties for Driving Without Insurance in New Jersey
    Severe penalties can be levied against people who drive without insurance in the state of New Jersey. Driving without insurance in New Jersey is so serious that penalties are harsher than penalties for first time drunk driving offenses.
  • New Rules for Teen Drivers in New York
    New laws that went into effect in February, New York teen drivers now face two new obstacles on their way to the road.
  • Driving With A Suspended License In New Jersey
    New Jersey law dictates very clearly that driving with a suspended license in their state comes with hefty fines and possible jail time. The New Jersey statute 39:3-40.1 states that driving under suspension is a punishable crime. The law also includes the offense of driving under vehicle registration suspension. There are two major categories of suspension. The first being a court ordered suspension and the second is a department of motor vehicles suspension.
  • All Motor Vehicle Law Articles

    Articles written by attorneys and experts worldwide discussing legal aspects related to Motor Vehicles Law including: auto dealer fraud, automobile accidents, automotive, bus accidents, lemon law, motor vehicle accidents, motorcycle accident, railroad accidents, rollover accident, traffic violations, trucking accident.