Alyssa Lane
Failure to obey a highway sign is a common charge, often resulting from running a stop sign, exceeding the speed limit, ignoring a yield sign, or making an unsafe lane change. While it is generally considered a minor offence, it can carry points and remain on a driving record for up to three years, potentially affecting insurance rates. The impact on insurance varies based on location and driving history, with some insurers increasing rates significantly more than others for the same offence. In some cases, drivers may be able to avoid points by appearing in court and having the judge allow driving school in exchange for dismissal of the ticket.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Charge | Failure to Obey a Highway Sign |
| Offence | Running through a stop sign, exceeding the speed limit, ignoring a yield to traffic sign, making an unsafe lane change, committing a U-turn on a roadway where it is prohibited, etc. |
| Points | 3 points in Virginia |
| Driving Record | Remains on the driving record for 3 years |
| Insurance Impact | May affect insurance rates |
| Prosecution | Prosecutors may agree to amend the charge to a lesser offence or a no-point non-moving violation |
| Penalty | No jail time, fines of up to a few hundred dollars |
| Legal Help | An attorney can help achieve a better result in court and protect the driving record |
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What You'll Learn
Fines and penalties
Traffic Tickets and Fines
Failure to obey a highway sign is typically classified as a traffic violation, which often results in a traffic ticket and a fine. In most cases, this type of offence carries no jail time, but fines can range from a few hundred dollars to more specialised amounts depending on the violation. For example, in California, a "failure to obey a traffic sign" ticket can result in a fine, with no jail time.
Points on Driving Record
One of the more significant consequences of failing to obey a highway sign is the potential addition of points to your driving record. In some places, this violation can add 1-2 points to a driver's license. Accumulating too many points can lead to increased insurance premiums for several years, and in certain cases, it may even result in the suspension or revocation of your driver's license.
Insurance Rate Increases
While the specific impact on insurance rates may vary by insurer and location, failure to obey a highway sign is generally considered a violation that can increase insurance rates. Drivers with recent tickets or accidents on their records are often viewed as higher-risk by insurers, leading to higher insurance premiums. The increase in insurance rates can vary based on the type of violation and the location. For example, a single traffic ticket can lead to a significant spike in insurance costs, with the average monthly rate increase varying by violation type.
Loss of Driving Privileges
In more severe cases, repeated or serious instances of failing to obey a highway sign can potentially result in the loss of driving privileges. This can significantly impact an individual's lifestyle and employment, especially if their job involves driving.
Court Appearances and Convictions
In some cases, individuals may choose to contest the ticket in court to avoid a conviction. An attorney can represent clients in court to help reduce the charges or get the ticket dismissed. Appearing in court and demonstrating a good driving record can sometimes result in the judge allowing driving school in exchange for ticket dismissal.
Location-Specific Variations
It is important to note that the penalties and fines for failing to obey a highway sign can vary depending on the location. For example, in Fairfax County, a "Failure to Obey a Highway Sign" charge is a 3-point offence that remains on the driving record for 3 years and may affect insurance rates. On the other hand, a similar charge in Fairfax County under a specific county code may not appear on the DMV record and, therefore, may not directly impact insurance rates.
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DMV points and driving records
In the US, DMV points are assigned for certain traffic violations. The accumulation of points can result in the suspension of a driver's license. The number of points and the violations that incur them vary by state. For example, in New York, 6 or more points in 18 months incurs a Driver Responsibility Assessment fee, and 11 points in 18 months may result in a suspended license. Insurance companies may increase premiums based on a driver's record. However, taking a DMV-approved course can help prevent license suspension and may even lead to insurance discounts.
In Fairfax County, Virginia, Failure to Obey a Highway Sign is a 3-point offense that remains on the driving record for 3 years. It is considered a minor charge, but it may affect insurance rates. An attorney can often get the ticket dismissed or reduced to a lesser offense, such as a non-moving violation with no points, helping to protect the driver's record and insurance rates. In some cases, it may be recommended to simply prepay the ticket, especially if the driver was already given a break by the officer.
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Insurance rates and premiums
Failure to obey a highway sign is a common charge, often issued when a driver runs a stop sign, exceeds the speed limit, ignores a yield sign, or makes a prohibited U-turn. While this violation generally carries no jail time and relatively low fines, it can add points to your driver's license and negatively impact your insurance rates and premiums.
In the United States, traffic violations are typically considered infractions, resulting in fines and, in some cases, points on your driver's license. Accumulating too many points can lead to the loss of driving privileges. These points also impact your insurance rates, with higher points resulting in increased premiums. For example, a single speeding ticket can lead to a significant increase in insurance premiums, and the severity of the violation influences the extent of the increase.
Insurance companies view drivers with traffic tickets as high-risk, which leads to higher premiums. The accumulation of tickets further exacerbates this issue, resulting in even higher premiums over time. Additionally, traffic tickets can cause the loss of safe driving discounts offered by insurance companies, further increasing overall costs.
However, the impact of a failure to obey a highway sign violation on insurance rates and premiums can vary. In some cases, charges can be negotiated or reduced by a traffic ticket lawyer, mitigating their effect on insurance. Additionally, taking a DMV-approved driver improvement class may help reduce insurance costs.
It is worth noting that while paying the fine associated with a traffic ticket is important to avoid additional penalties, it is also crucial to consider the long-term implications on insurance rates and premiums. Consulting with an experienced attorney can help individuals navigate these charges and potentially achieve a more favorable outcome, protecting their driving record and minimizing insurance-related consequences.
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Legal representation
In the United States, a failure to obey a highway sign is a traffic infraction and is charged under Virginia Code §46.2-830. It is not a criminal offense. However, a conviction for the violation is reported to the DMV and carries a three-point demerit on the driving record. These points fall off after two years, and the conviction falls off the driving record after three years.
A failure to obey a highway sign is commonly charged when a driver runs through a stop sign, exceeds the speed limit, ignores a yield to traffic sign, or makes a U-turn on a prohibited roadway. Many people charged with this offense prefer to avoid a conviction reported to the DMV, as a clean record helps avoid insurance rate hikes and problems with employment (if they drive for a living).
Attorney Wilfred Ward Yeargan III of the Law Office of Wilfred Ward Yeargan, III, has successfully represented clients charged with failure to obey a highway sign in Fairfax County and Prince William County, Virginia. Attorney Yeargan works to get the ticket dismissed or reduced to much lesser charges, helping clients avoid insurance rate hikes and maintain a clean driving record.
Another law firm that handles these cases is the Letnick Law Firm, PLC, which routinely handles failure to obey a highway sign cases in Fairfax County, Virginia. They offer a free consultation to discuss your case and determine the best course of action. They have successfully argued for a reduction in charges for many clients.
It is important to note that while legal representation can be beneficial, it is not always necessary. Some people may choose to simply prepay the ticket, especially if the charge is minor and they have a clean driving record. However, by prepaying the ticket, you lose the opportunity to obtain a better result in court and protect your driving record. An attorney can advise you on the best course of action based on your specific circumstances.
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Traffic violations and convictions
Traffic violations such as failure to obey highway signs can carry points, which, if accumulated, may lead to losing driving privileges. In Fairfax County, failure to obey a highway sign is a three-point offence that remains on the driving record for three years. This may result in higher insurance rates. However, in some cases, the offence can be negotiated or argued down by a lawyer to a no-point non-moving violation, which would not affect insurance rates.
In Virginia, speeding 72/55 mph is a four-point violation, while failure to obey a highway sign is a three-point violation. While this may not lead to an increase in insurance rates, it is still advisable to consult a lawyer to explore options for further reduction or dismissal of the charge.
Traffic violations can result in steep penalties for car insurance costs. Drivers with recent tickets or accidents on their records are considered high-risk and are typically charged higher rates. The impact of a traffic violation on insurance rates varies depending on the type of violation and the location. For example, a Pennsylvania driver may pay 15% more for insurance after a speeding ticket, while a North Carolina driver could pay 50% more for the same offence.
The traffic violation with the most significant impact on insurance rates is leaving the scene of an accident, resulting in a 95% increase in insurance costs. Other violations, such as speeding, can also lead to substantial increases in insurance rates, depending on the severity. For instance, speeding 6-10 mph over the limit raises rates by an average of $40 per month, while speeding 21-25 mph over increases rates by $54 per month.
It is important to note that traffic violations can have consequences beyond insurance rates, including potential loss of driving privileges and employment implications for those who drive for a living. Seeking legal advice and representation can help mitigate the impact of traffic violations on driving records and insurance rates.
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Frequently asked questions
Failure to obey a highway sign is a common charge in Fairfax County, Virginia, where it is a 3-point offence. It is often used as a catch-all charge when the officer does not know a specific charge. It can include running a stop sign, failing to yield, speeding, or making an unsafe lane change.
In general, traffic violations can add 1-2 points to a motorist’s driver’s license, which can increase insurance premiums for the next 3 to 5 years. However, in Fairfax County, a failure to obey a highway sign charge does not go on a driver's record and therefore does not affect insurance rates. In other places, it is unclear whether this specific violation will affect insurance rates, but it is likely that it will depend on the insurer and other factors.
It is not recommended to simply prepay the ticket because this means losing the opportunity to obtain a better result in court and protect your driving record. It is better to consult an attorney, who may be able to get the ticket dismissed or reduced to a lesser charge.
Traffic violations that can affect insurance rates include speeding, driving too slowly, driving under the influence, and leaving the scene of an accident.
The increase in insurance rates depends on the type of violation and where the driver lives. For example, a Pennsylvania driver may pay 15% more for insurance after getting a speeding ticket, while a North Carolina driver could pay 50% more for the same offence.
