Knowing how to drive properly is essential for the safety of both you and any passengers you may be carrying. In Maryland, there are numerous regular traffic violations that are hazardous for both vehicles and pedestrians. Understanding these infractions and practicing safe driving habits keeps everyone safe and helps with auto insurance. In the state of Maryland, a few of the most typical traffic violations are appended below:
Over Speeding
Driving 9 miles over the posted limit will result in a $80 fine and one license point. Driving over 10 or 20 miles per hour raises the fine. Speeding can endanger lives, especially if drivers weave in and out of lanes in congested places.
Tailgating
It’s incredibly risky and dangerous to follow another vehicle too closely because it can result in accidents. You run the risk of being in an accident if the driver in front of you has to abruptly stop or slow down.
Failure to Stop Following a Collision
You cannot leave the site of an accident, whether you caused it or not. Pull over, call the police, and trade information with the other driver after an accident. Prior to the cops showing there, do not leave the scene. If you leave an accident, you could accrue 8 points toward the suspension of your license.
Drunk Driving
For a first offense, driving under the influence carries a $1,000 fine and a possible year in jail. The fine and jail time can go up when there are more crimes. If you are unable to drive, ask a sober buddy to take the wheel, use a ride-sharing service, or stay at home. Encourage your friend to do the same if they are impaired. Driving while intoxicated can result in collisions and endanger lives.
Driving while your License is Suspended
Driving while your license is suspended in Maryland is a misdemeanour punishable by a $500 to $1,000 fine and a 2 month to 2 years prison sentence. If a driver receives 8 points on their driving record, their license will be suspended. Points are accrued for moving infractions such as speeding and drunk driving.
Some Lucrative Benefits of Hiring a Traffic Offense Lawyer
Employing a Baltimore traffic offense lawyer to assist you with your case has following key advantages.
Expert Legal Advice
By guiding you through the upcoming procedure, a lawyer can help you feel more at ease. Additionally, a lawyer will thoroughly review your ticket and question you about the occurrence. They can then give you a general concept of what your particular case would entail. Not to mention, they are well acquainted with the judge and the local courtroom staff. They can make use of this information to advise you on how the judge might handle your case. They might also be aware of actions you can take to make the judge’s decision in your favour.
Presents your Case in Court
On the day of your trial, a traffic offense lawyer will be permitted to attend. This gives them the opportunity to argue your case before the judge, potentially saving you from having to appear in court. As opposed to contesting a ticket on your own, you might need to make two appearances. It may also enable the attorney to obtain an extension on your case if it is a more serious one. This provides them additional time to collect, analyze, and discuss the evidence, as well as communicate with other important parties in the case. Consequently, you may be able to lessen the likelihood that you’ll be given a harsh punishment.
Trying to get a Lower Sentence
A traffic offense lawyer could be able to negotiate a lighter penalty for you in some circumstances. For instance, if this is your first offense and it’s a minor ticket, your lawyer could be able to get the charges completely withdrawn. In other instances, they might be able to change the charge from a moving violation to a non-moving violation, saving you from having points added to your record.
If you contest a ticket on your own, it can occasionally be challenging to do so. This is so that a lawyer may effectively use the law and understand how the local court system operates.
