A drivers license is a document taken for granted without knowing what the circumstances would be should you ever lose your license due to some type of traffic violation.The word violation used in the world of traffic enforcement means you have not complied with one or several laws which governs how we drive a car anywhere a car can be used such as a highway, county road, parking lot or the driveway leading up to your house.
One of the scariest moments will occur when you see a blue light flashing in your rear-view mirror. The first thing that comes to mind is”:what did I do?”
Before this thought leaves your mind you hear a tap on your window with the officer asking to see your drivers license and vehicle registration. You won’t realize this but what follows is the first of two scenarios that will be extreme examples you could find your self facing. While they paint severe situations they should act as constant reminders how easy it is to put your license in jeopardy.
The first thing to happen is the police officer will ask you to stay in your car. in your rear-view you can see him talking on his radio. What he’s doing is confirming you have a valid drivers license and you aren’t driving a stolen vehicle. Up to this point you haven’t a clue why he stopped you. At this point he will tell you what he’s charging with (type of ticket). He proceeds to prepare the ticket showing you the date you must go to court. Receiving a speeding ticket the fine is based on how many miles you were going over the speed.limit. The fine could be as high as $150 plus two points assigned to you driving record. or (say a silent prayer) he will ask you step out of your car asking how much you have had to drink. He will ask for your permission to give you a roadside sobriety test. Assuming the worst, the officer advises he feels you are too impaired to drive. He asks you to step into the rear of his car so he can take you to the police station for a blood alcohol test. Before leaving he calls for a tow truck to take your car to the impound lot. If you fail the blood test expect to be incarcerated over night. You’re allowed to make one phone call to a family member or friend. So there you sit, no car and spending the night in jail. It suddenly dawns on you, you have to go to work tomorrow. How do we explain this to your boss? The fact you couldn’t control your alcohol intake has created an enormous problem. Your license will be suspended for six months. How will you get to work? You’ll have to depend on friends or family.
The second situation will show what can happen even when you are not responsible for what occurred but the penalties still rests on your shoulders because you are the owner of the vehicle involved in this situation. This incident will show you the very traumatic consequences which will effect the owner/driver for the rest of their lives. As we mentioned above, this series of events will will begin with the officer tapping in your window. As you start to roll down the window the you notice the officer is accompanied by a German shepherd police dog. The dog is barking and the officer tells the dog to sit which it does. Again the officer asks to see your drivers license and vehicle registration. Returning to his car he’s back on the radio requesting a female officer back up. why a female? You’ll know shortly,. the second police car arrives with blue lights flashing and pulls in front of your car thus blocking in your car. The lady officer asks you to step out of your car and put your hands on the hood of your car. She now does a pat down search to confirm you are not carrying gun, knife or other protective device. Next she will put you in hand cuffs and assists you getting in the rear of her car. At that time the first officer opens all four doors and trunk of your car. he brings over the dog. He unleashes the dog and commands him to “find. Instantly the dog jumps from seat to seat stopping in the rear seat. He stands frozen in his tracks as he begins to bark in earnest. He will begin pawing in area where he smells what ever he is looking for. He has located particles of a marijuana cigarette. The female officer advises you are under arrest for drug possession. Your mind is in a state of panic. You are not a drug user, never have been, but you remember you loaned your car to your boyfriend so he and his buddies could go bowling. You can’t believe what is unfolding before you. The female officer drives you to the police station where drug enforcement agents begin the questions. You tell them you loaned your car to your boy friend the night before so he and some of his friends could go bowling. The agents instruct you to call your friend and have him come to the police station without delay. Upon arrival. you tell your boyfriend what has happened. Did he or any of his friends use marijuana in your car? Frightened the young man explains a friend in the rear seat of the car rolled a cigarette. Apparently some tobacco particles fell on the floor and this is what the dog smelled. Had the evidence been strong enough for a conviction both you as owner of the car and your boy friend would be first time drug offenders. Minimum 60 days in jail and 5 year license suspensions.
Fortunately for you there wasn’t enough marijuana found that could be used to secure a conviction. you both were released.
We have just painted two pictures that describes circumstances that could happen to anyone. The point of these illustrations is to emphasis the fact that police officers mean business! You don’t give them lip service. They love it when you do because that’s another ticket they can issue, “disobeying a police officer”.
The most common moving violations that can lead to license suspension are-
Not having proof your vehicle is insured
Driving while intoxicated
Driving under the influence of drugs
Driving with a suspended drivers license
Reckless driving
Point accumulation( you could be declared a “habitual violator” with a 5 year license suspension)
Involved in an accident without bodily injury liability insurance
Multiple speeding tickets
Things to remember-
-Should you hire an attorney if you are cited with a moving violation? Discuss this first with an attorney experienced in trials involving traffic citations. Review with him what he feels the penalties are. How much of a fine? Is there the possibility of jail time? Get an idea what his fee will be.
-Should you go to a driving school if it’s offered. Again, discuss this with an attorney.
-Can I give permission to someone else to drive my car? Absolutely not! See situation no 2 above
-Never drive even if you have had only one drink. Have someone else take you home
-Drive defensible. Every day between the hours of 4 pm and 7 pm 1 out of every 2 cars coming toward you have had at least 1 drink. Driving after 10 pm the odds of being stopped double as police officers set up road blocks to check insurance,vehicle registrations and DUI
To be safe, you must be properly insured. Find a local insurance agent that is affiliated with a national insurance company such as All State, State Farm or Nationwide. Do not do business with an insurance company that does not have a local insurance office such a GEICO or other companies advertising on the Internet.
The bottom line is awareness. When you least expect it, you could see that blue light in your review mirror. Don’t let this happen to you!
