Traffic violations may not seem like a serious criminal matter, but in reality, they can have a serious impact on your future. If you received a traffic ticket or are facing the potential consequences of other types of violations, you may believe that pleading guilty is simply the easiest thing to do so that you can move on with your life quickly. In reality, that may result in other consequences that could impact you long-term.
In Kentucky, traffic violations can result in points on your license. After an accumulation of a certain number of points, you could face consequences that may include loss of driving privileges and more. It could be best for your individual situation to fight a ticket or other type of traffic violation in order to keep additional points off your license.
Which violations result in points on a license?
The Kentucky Point System specifically pertains to repeat and habitual offenders. In this system, a driver will accumulate points for repeated or multiple offenses. After accumulating 12 points within a two-year period, drivers age 18 and older will face a likely suspension of their driver’s licenses. Drivers under the age of 18 can accumulate up to seven points. Points accumulated expire two years after they go on a driver’s license, but they will remain on a driver’s record for an additional three years. Common offenses and their points value include:
- Driving 15 miles per hour over the speed limit in a commercial vehicle: three points
- Failure to yield: three points
- Failure to stop at an intersection, railroad crossing or stop sign: three points
- Driving on the wrong side of the road: four points
- Failure to yield to an emergency vehicle: four points
- Improper passing: five points
- Driving 16 to 25 miles per hour over the speed limit: six points
If you are facing the possibility of a license suspension and higher insurance rates, it may be in your interests to explore the legal options available to you before you plead guilty to a traffic violation. It may be possible to fight back, protect yourself against the potential consequences you are up against, and save time and money. It is prudent to take traffic violations and their penalties seriously, particularly the accumulation of points on your license.
