
Understanding the Impact of Traffic Violations on Car Insurance Rates
Many people falsely believe that speeding cannot lead to license suspension or revocation. However, Illinois law is harsh toward those who have received multiple traffic violations, and you can sometimes face criminal penalties for speeding. Because you are usually pulled over by a police officer for speeding tickets, you may not think twice about paying the fine and accepting guilt.
Yet, admitting guilt to speeding is admitting guilt to a moving violation in Illinois. This admission of guilt can lead to license suspension, huge fines, and further penalties. If you have received a speeding ticket in Illinois, it is crucial that you seek legal assistance from an experienced traffic ticket attorney immediately.
The ticket lawyers at Hirsch Law Group can help prevent the serious consequences of a speeding ticket by scheduling a court date, fighting against the accusations, and preventing too many points on your license. If you have received previous citations for moving traffic violations, we may be able to prevent your license from being suspended or petition to get it reinstated.
Our lawyers have been helping citizens in Illinois for over 20 years, and we deeply understand local traffic laws and regulations. When it comes to speeding tickets and all other moving violations, it is vital that you have a firm legal representative by your side to protect your future. Hirsch Law Group is prepared to do everything that we can to fight for your rights.
Call us today to schedule a free consultation at 815-880-1134.
What Is a Moving Violation?
A moving violation in Illinois is any traffic violation that happens while a motor vehicle is in motion. Traffic laws distinguish moving violations from non-moving traffic violations, and a moving violation typically carries much harsher penalties. If you receive a traffic ticket for a moving violation, your driver’s license is at risk of suspension or revocation, and you will receive penalty points for the traffic infractions.
Most traffic violations that have the potential to cause harm to another driver or pedestrian are moving violations. Examples include:
- Failure to yield
- Failing to stop at a stop sign or red light
- Distracted driving
- Failing to use a turn signal
- Overtaking a stopped school bus
- Wrong lane driving
- Reckless driving.
- Hit-and-run
- Driving over the speed limit
- Improper turn
- Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs
Protecting your rights while fighting against these charges in court could be challenging. You need better info to understand the proceedings, speeding law, and know-how of speeding laws.hting against these charges in court could be challenging. You need better info to understand the proceedings, speeding law, and know-how of speeding laws.
All of it could be hard to manage alone. However, working with an experienced and skilled attorney can help you in many ways. Your attorney will guide you through the process, help you handle the plea bargain, and work with you to devise a convincing defense to fight the charges.
Speeding Tickets vs. Moving Violations
Because speeding occurs while a vehicle is moving, it is considered a moving violation. This means that if you receive a speeding ticket and pay the fine, you will receive penalty points on your driving record. The number of points you receive depends on how fast you were going and whether there were any aggravating factors, such as speeding in a school or construction zone.
The point system for speeding tickets issued in Illinois is as follows:
5 points – 1 to 10 mph over the limit
15 points – 11 to 14 mph over the limit
20 points – 15 to 25 mph over the limit
50 points – more than 25 mph over the limit
A speeding ticket may disadvantage your records, especially when you are in the driving-related job field. Consult with an attorney to protect your rights.
Penalties For Speeding Tickets
Besides points, you must pay a fine for driving over the speed limit. The fines vary depending on how fast you were going and aggravating factors. The fines you could receive for speeding tickets include:
$120 – 1 to 20 mph over the limit
$140 – 21 to 25 mph over the limit
$1,500 plus up to 6 months of jail time – 26 to 34 mph over the limit
You admit guilt for committing a traffic violation by paying for speeding tickets. Even if your traffic ticket does not specify that you must appear in court, you still reserve the right to do so. An experienced Illinois traffic ticket attorney can help protect you against the severe consequences of speeding by petitioning the court on your behalf and getting your penalties reduced.
Your Auto Insurance Rates
Many drivers overlook the impact of moving violations on their auto insurance rates. While paying a fine for speeding tickets may seem small, your auto insurance rates can increase significantly after receiving a moving violation.
Car insurance companies see speeding tickets and other moving violations as indicators of risky driving behavior, making you more likely to get into an accident and file a claim. In some cases, insurance companies may even cancel your policy or increase your rates substantially.
Having an experienced attorney to fight against speeding tickets can help protect your driving record and your insurance rates from increasing. With the proper legal representation, you can potentially save thousands of dollars in increased insurance costs down the line.
Criminal Moving Violations
Some moving violations can lead to criminal charges. Distinct from traffic tickets, moving violations classed as criminal offenses can lead to jail time, massively increased fines, probation, community service, and a permanent criminal record.
A criminal record differs from a driving record and can seriously impact your life. Finding employment becomes more complex, applying for loans is almost impossible, and you risk losing constitutional rights.
Law enforcement officers and prosecutors are tough on individuals who commit criminal traffic offenses. If they believe you had criminal intent or behaved recklessly, they will have no problem upturning your life with criminal charges.
Misdemeanor Moving Violations
Misdemeanor moving violations are minor offenses under criminal law. However, you will receive a permanent criminal record if convicted of a misdemeanor traffic violation. Because it is a moving violation, you will also receive penalty points on your driver’s license. The penalties a court will impose on you for criminal traffic violations depend on the type of violation and circumstances of the incident.
Common examples of misdemeanor moving violations include:
Driving under the influence (DUI) – Class A misdemeanor with penalties of up to 364 days in jail, court-ordered rehabilitation, and license suspension for 6 months for a first DUI offense
Reckless driving – Class A misdemeanor with penalties of up to 364 days in jail, up to $2,500 in fines, court costs, and penalty points on your license
Speeding 25 mph over the speed limit – Class B misdemeanor with penalties of up to 6 months of jail time, fines of up to $1,500, and penalty points on your license
Speeding 35 mph over the speed limit – Class A misdemeanor with penalties of up to 364 days in jail, fines of up to $2,500, and 50 points on your license
As speeding is both a minor moving violation and a criminal offense, you can receive significantly different penalties, depending on how you are charged. If you receive criminal charges for speeding, it is vital that you speak with an experienced traffic ticket lawyer as soon as possible. They can help reduce your charges to a traffic infraction.
What Are Non-Moving Violations?
Separate from moving and speeding offenses, a non-moving violation happens when a vehicle is not in motion, with some exceptions. Non-moving violations are minor traffic violations that do not pose an immediate risk of harm to other drivers and pedestrians. Because of this, the penalties for non-moving violations are typically less severe than those for moving violations.
Examples of non-moving violations in Illinois include:
Parking violations, such as parking in front of a fire hydrant or minor parking tickets
Expired vehicle registration
Faulty equipment violations
Broken tail lights
Illinois law recently updated to provide that non-moving violations will not affect a driver’s record. If you receive a non-moving violation ticket, you will be subject only to minor fines and no penalty points, with no requirement to make a court appearance. This change in the law aims to alleviate the burden on drivers and reduce the backlog of cases in traffic courts.
Non-moving violations may seem less serious, but they should still be taken seriously. Ignoring a non-moving violation ticket can lead to late fees and even a suspension of your driver’s license. It is important to address these tickets promptly and take necessary action to avoid any further consequences.
Will a Speeding Ticket Affect My Driving Record?
Moving violations directly affect your driving record. As speeding is a moving violation under Illinois law, your driver’s license will be at risk if you receive a speeding violation. Even if you receive only one ticket for speeding, you risk losing your driver’s license if you have previous traffic tickets.
The law provides that too many points can lead to an immediate suspension of your license. The number of points on your record will determine the length of the suspension period. If you commit 3 or more traffic violations, including speeding, within one year, you face automatic license suspension.
It is important to note that non-moving violations will not affect your driving record. So, suppose you have received multiple parking tickets or fines for an expired registration, and then you are allegedly caught speeding. In that case, your driver’s license cannot be suspended based on these previous tickets.
Contact A Traffic Violations Lawyer at Hirsch Law Group!
Speeding violations are moving violations under Illinois traffic laws. Depending on the circumstances of your case, a speeding violation could land you with a suspended or revoked license, time in jail, substantial fines to pay, attendance in traffic school, and a permanent criminal record. The only way to avoid the harsh consequences of a speeding violation is to seek help from an experienced lawyer.
The Illinois traffic lawyers at Hirsch Law Group have significant experience dealing with serious traffic violations throughout the state. Our lawyers understand how being convicted of speeding, whether as a traffic violation or a criminal offense, can seriously affect your life. You risk losing your driver’s license, being unable to work, facing hikes in insurance premiums, and receiving criminal penalties.
Getting an attorney involved can help ensure that your best interests are protected and that you get a positive outcome in your case. A traffic violations attorney from our law firm can fight to get your speeding ticket disregarded, get charges reduced, help your license reinstated, and prevent any harm to your future.
Regarding traffic violations, having solid legal representation by your side is essential.
Contact Hirsch Law Group today at 815-880-1134 to schedule a free consultation. Our team of experienced attorneys will review your case and provide you with personalized legal advice and representation.