Moving violation

A moving violation is any violation of the law committed by the driver of a vehicle while it is in motion. The term "motion" distinguishes it from other motor vehicle violations,^[1] such as paperwork violations (which include violations involving automobile insurance, registration and inspection), parking violations, or equipment violations. For example, the US Department of State makes reference to moving violations in its enforcement guidance.^[2]

Moving violations often increase insurance premiums.^[3]

Types

While some violations, like parking violations, are civil matters involving a vehicle's owner, moving violations are charged against the actual driver.

Moving violations are usually classified as infractions or misdemeanors, but serious violations such as hit and run, driving under the influence, and road rage can be considered felonies.

Costs

Moving violation convictions typically result in fines and demerit points assessed to the license of the driver. As a driver accumulates points, he or she may be required to attend defensive driving lessons, re-take his or her driving test, pay additional taxes, or even surrender his or her license. Additionally, drivers with more points on their driving record often must pay more for car insurance than drivers with fewer.

Sometimes tickets are used in a speed trap as a form of fundraising. For example, a local government that is suffering a budget shortfall may ticket more aggressively within its jurisdiction to increase revenue.^[4]^[5]^[6]

In the United States, citation fines can vary widely between jurisdictions for the same behaviour, usually between $25 and $1000. In countries such as Finland, however, they are specific proportions of the violator's income, and fines in excess of $100,000 can be assessed to wealthy individuals. In Canada, each province is individual in how they treat similar behaviour and each violation usually includes a set fine and demerit points against the driver's license. For example, a speeding ticket in Ontario of 50+ km over is 6 demerit points against the driver's licence with the approximate fine calculated as (km over x 9.75) x 1.25, as well it carries a one-week automatic licence suspension and car impoundment. In Manitoba speeding in excess of 49 km is 10 demerit points and a fine of 672 dollars and a Serious Offence Licence Suspension.

Examples of moving violations

speeding, which can be exceeding a limit or (in some jurisdictions) simply driving at an unsafe speed
tailgating or failing to maintain an assured clear distance ahead (ACDA)
running a stop sign or red traffic light
failure to yield to another vehicle with the right-of-way
failure to signal for turns or lane changes
improper lane usage, such as failing to drive within a single lane
crossing over a center divider, median or gore
driving on the shoulder where it is considered illegal under certain conditions
failure to use a seat belt
illegal use of window tints and obstructions
failure to stop for a pedestrian in a crosswalk
failure to stop for a school bus when children are boarding or exiting (in certain jurisdictions)
failure to secure a load to a truck or lorry
driving in a car pool lane illegally
operating a telecommunications device while driving (in jurisdictions that prohibit this)
driving a vehicle outside the conditions of one's license
driving without a license or with a suspended license or with a license from another country
driving a vehicle in a bus lane or on train tracks
failure to stop after a traffic collision or make a report
driving on the wrong side of the road, unless there is an obstruction

More serious moving violations include: