Traffic safety has been a concern with the increased number of vehicles and drivers. With its increase and considering traffic safety, the government enacted traffic safety laws to check the rash and negligent acts of people on roads leading to road accidents. The result of traffic safety laws is that they reported many violations, leading to punishments and penalties.
The non-moving violation, also known as a stationary violation, occurs when a vehicle is not in motion and violates traffic rules. It is a traffic violation that violates traffic laws but is not necessarily concerned with the manner of driving a motor vehicle.
Non-moving violations usually result in minor fines than moving violations, and they typically do not cause demerit points to accrue on your record as moving violations do.
How is it different from a moving violation?
It is pertinent that a moving violation is any violation when the vehicle is in motion. In contrast, a non-moving violation is any violation when the vehicle is not in motion. However, it’s not quite the same as it seems.
Moving violations relate to the moving vehicle, but non-moving violations relate to the violations committed by non-moving vehicle. For example, parking in front of a fire hydrant is an apparent non-moving violation.
Non-moving violations
Non-moving violations refer to violations committed when the vehicle is stationary, which is inappropriate. Without referring precisely to the word, it is a violation of traffic safety laws committed.
There are a few examples of non-moving violations which will aid you in understanding it in a better way:-
- Parking in front of a fire hydrant
- Using an expired registration number
- Using an expired vehicle insurance
- Lack of registration or insurance in a vehicle
- Parking in a “no parking” zone,
- A broken or malfunctioned taillight
- Maintenance issues with the vehicle
Non-moving violations can also include offenses that occur when a vehicle is moving, which includes driving without a seatbelt or driving with malfunctioning vehicle equipment.
After effects of committing a non-moving violation
Individuals involved with non-moving violations are punishable under their state’s traffic safety laws. Aside from penalties, committing a non-moving violation can have negative consequences such as an impact on the person’s driving record, driver’s license, or insurance of the person’s vehicle.
Let’s discuss the following effects of non-moving violations.
Traffic tickets
All traffic violations, whether moving or non-moving, include fines. However, non-moving violations tend to be less severe violations than moving violations. Therefore, we can assume that fines for non-moving violations are generally lower than for moving violations.
Traffic violations point system
Most states have a point system for traffic violations. Drivers who score too many points within a certain period face consequences such as completing safe driving training or revoking their license.
Hike in insurance
Insurance companies usually access the driver’s records to adjust the premium. Insurance companies set premium rates based in part on a driver’s records.
Drivers with bad records can expect to pay higher fees than those with clean records. Too many pending tickets for non-moving violations could lead to higher payable insurance charges.
License related penalties
Many states have license-related penalties for drivers who commit multiple travel violations within a specified time.
Some states also have provisions that having three or more tickets for such immovable violations may result in driver’s license suspension. Too many pending tickets of non-moving violations can affect a driver’s record or can lead to some temporary actions on a person’s license till the time tickets get settled.
Registration renewal
An individual has to renew his vehicle’s registration every two years in most states of the USA. Pending traffic tickets would cause a hindrance to the vehicle’s registration renewal, and a person would not be able to renew his vehicle’s registration.
To renew one’s vehicle’s registration, an individual has to get his pending traffic tickets for non-moving violations settled.
Need of a traffic defense attorney
Knowing the difference between moving and non-moving violations can help identify an individual’s legal issues. Moving violations can have long-term consequences, including imprisonment, fines, and severe administrative penalties. Though non-moving violations are not that serious, they can cause many issues other than penal ones like issues in license renewal, registration renewal, hike in insurance rates, etc.
If you believe you may get prosecuted for a violation, whether moving or non-moving, contact a traffic defense attorney as soon as possible. Depending on the facts of the case, an attorney can help you negotiate the terms of the penalty and strive for the best possible outcome.
No matter the type of violation, the main goal is to stay safe and follow the law. Many people want to know how to reduce a speeding ticket to a motionless offense, but it’s not usually possible without a traffic lawyer.
It is legal to represent yourself in court. Hiring a speeding ticket attorney will most likely get you a favorable outcome.
A lawyer can also represent you in court, so hiring an attorney is better if you need to save time, effort, and money.
Conclusion
The foremost objective of obeying the prescribed traffic laws is to stay safe and avoid committing violations, not to degrade driving records.
From the scenario mentioned above, it is clear that non-moving violations should not be interpreted prima facie.
The non-moving violations are not severe violations as moving ones but need to be dismissed as soon as possible with the aid of a traffic defense attorney. The tickets issued for speeding (i.e. a moving violation) can be reduced to a non-moving violation if the driver has an impeccable driving record.
FAQs
What is known to be the most common moving violation?
Speeding tickets are the most common moving violation.
Is it valid to contest a traffic violation?
Yes, it is entirely valid to contest a traffic violation to avoid some errors or mistakes in such traffic tickets or to reduce the number of fines payable for violations.
How much does the fine vary in case of a non-moving violation in the US?
The penalty amount for a non-moving violation varies from 80$ to 400$.
What is the duration to respond to a traffic ticket violation in Washington?
The time to respond to court on a traffic ticket violation is 15 days.