Traffic Ticket Attorney
When it is time for your teen to get behind the wheel of the car on their own, it can be a scary experience for some parents. Letting your teen drive without you in the vehicle means you hope they know well enough to practice safe driving behaviors on the road. Unfortunately, when many teens head out on the road, they do not always follow the rules, which can lead to deadly consequences. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, car crashes are still the leading cause of death for teenagers. Here are a few different behaviors that are common for teen drivers that are not only dangerous but could also land them a traffic ticket or more. If this happens, call a traffic ticket attorney.
Distracted Driving
In general, distracted driving occurs when the driver’s attention is taken away from the task of driving for any reason. One of the most common ways drivers are distracted while they are driving is because of electronic devices such as cell phones. In all states, it is illegal for anyone, including teenagers, to text while driving.
In addition, many states have hands-free device laws that make it illegal for teens to use even a hands-free device while they are driving. Violation of these laws could result in hefty fines. If your teen causes an accident because of the fact they were using an electronic device, they could be facing misdemeanor or felony charges.
Speeding
Teens are also notorious for disregarding speed limits. There are many reasons why people speed, but teens tend to speed because they either were distracted while they were driving and did not take note of the speed limit, or they knew of the speed limit but decided to disregard it anyways. A speeding ticket could result in expensive fines and if your teen was speeding enough, they could even be facing criminal charges.
Drinking and Driving
Although the number of teens who drink and drive has decreased significantly in recent years, there are still some teens who partake in this dangerous behavior. Many states have zero tolerance laws that forbid underage drivers to have any level above 0.0 percent blood alcohol concentration (BAC) in their system. An underage driver who has a BAC of more than 0.00 faces a license suspension for a first offense. In addition, teens are also subject to adult DUI, meaning they could face even stiffer penalties if they were found to be under the influence while driving or had a BAC of more than 0.08.
Contact a Criminal Defense Firm Today
Traffic tickets aren’t just a minor inconvenience, they can also lead to stiff fines, points on your driving record, higher insurance premiums, and more. If you are cited for a traffic violation, contact an experienced attorney, like a traffic ticket attorney in New Jersey from a firm like Rispoli & Borneo, P.C.