Florida law enforcement officials may charge vehicle drivers of a host of violations under the Florida Code. One of the most common types of charges is the moving violation. There are several different categories of infractions included in this general group of illegal acts. They include speeding, reckless driving, improper lane violation, operating a vehicle without a valid driver’s license, failing to stop and careless and imprudent driving (C&I).

Speeding

Exceeding the speed limit is perhaps the most well-known of all moving violation laws. Sometimes people do it because they are not paying attention; other times it is an oversight or because they are in a hurry. The vehicle’s speedometer may or may not have been recently calibrated, which could affect the accuracy of the speed displayed on the vehicle.

Reckless Driving

When an officer finds someone has been operating a motor vehicle with wanton disregard for the rules of the road and/or safety of others, they may be charged with reckless driving. Some people are charged with reckless driving when they don’t even know they were breaking the law. A conviction can result in loss of the privilege to drive, jail time and/or fines, depending on the nature the offense and how many the person has had. Careless and Imprudent Driving (C&I) is not as serious as reckless driving. These tickets are given to people that are putting others in danger or not obeying the traffic laws. Sometimes a reckless driving charge can be reduced to C&I when a savvy Florida traffic lawyer is on the case.

Improper Lane Violation

Changing lanes improperly might include actions such as failing to signal when moving from one lane to the next and changing lanes when it is not permitted by street signage. They may also be pulled over for not passing someone on the left-hand side or not leaving the proper amount of space.

Failing to Stop

When someone fails to stop at a stop sign or does not come to a complete stop, they are eligible to be pulled over by a police officer. There may be extenuating circumstances, such as the driver did not see the sign because it was obstructed.

Driving With a Suspended or Revoked Driver’s License

It is a privilege to operate a motor vehicle, and it must be done with care and good judgment. Drivers are required to obey all traffic laws. When they do not, it can be suspended or revoked permanently. Getting caught operating a motor vehicle on a suspended or revoked driver’s license is a serious offense which can lead to greater penalties than were already incurred from the first offense which caused the suspension or revocation in the first place. Whether it is done by mistake or deliberately, the driver needs a qualified Florida criminal defense attorney to present a strong case and help the defendant receive the best possible outcome.