Most people have heard about getting points for driving violations, but many people do not completely understand the system. Many unusual or little-known legal issues pertain to how authorities hand out points to drivers.
Some of these circumstances might seem counterintuitive or even unfair.
Points given for out-of-state citations
The Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicle agency adds points to a Florida driver even for citations that occur in other states. As a matter of procedure, the state that issues the citation will send a report to Florida. If according to Florida Statute the violation involves a point-accessible incident, the points accrue to the driver under state rules. Another interesting peculiarity is that points added from another state are not eligible for early removal through enrollment in a driving school or safety program.
Leaving the scene of a crash results in six points added to a driver’s record. The below list includes some other point values for common violations:
- Four points for reckless driving
- Four points for speeding in excess of 50 mph
- Four points for failure to stop for a school bus
- Three points for failure to yield
- Three points for improper backing
Punishments and procedures for reckless driving
According to the FL Senate, reckless driving in the state involves a driver willfully or wantonly engaging in disregard for the safety of persons or property. If the driver harms property or causes bodily injury the charge becomes a first-degree misdemeanor. If the incident results in serious bodily injury to another the charge becomes a third-degree felony. In cases involving alcohol or drugs, the court can require the driver to take certain remedial actions as well as pay the full cost of these procedures.
