Traffic Violations

CRIMINAL

The experience of being pulled over while driving is always disconcerting, but people are usually left with financial penalties when they are issued citations. Many people simply pay their fines and go about their lives, but it is important to remember that paying a fine is the same as pleading guilty to the underlying traffic violation.

Traffic Violations

Ohio uses a point system for drivers in the state, and multiple violations can carry serious penalties that include possible suspension of a driver’s license or even possible incarceration. You should know that you have the right to contest any ticket, and it is far more beneficial to have a citation thrown out rather than paying the fine.

Traffic Violation Defense Attorneys in Columbus, OH | Sabol | Mallory

If you received any kind of traffic ticket in Columbus, do not pay that citation without first discussing your options with an experienced lawyer. Legal counsel can possibly have your ticket dismissed so you pay no fines and have no points added to your record.

Sabol | Mallory represents residents of and visitors to Columbus and many other communities in Franklin County. We can provide an honest and thorough evaluation of your case when you call (614) 300-5088 or contact us online to take advantage of a free consultation.  

Common Traffic Violations in Ohio

Ohio uses a driver’s license points system under which drivers are assigned points for certain traffic offenses. The type of offense you are accused of is very important because different traffic violations have different point values.

In general, traffic offenses carry the following consequences in Ohio:

  • Obedience to traffic control devices violations — 2 points
  • Highway traffic signal violations — 2 points
  • Operation in willful or wanton disregard of the safety of persons or property — 4 points
  • Operation off street or highway without due disregard of the safety of persons or property — 2 points
  • Operation off street or highway in willful or wanton disregard of the safety of persons or property — 4 points
  • Operation without being in reasonable control of vehicle, trolley, or streetcar — 2 points
  • Speed (30 mph or more over limit) — 4 points
  • Speed (6-29 mph over limit) — 2 points
  • Speed (5 mph or less over limit) — 0 points
  • Approaching stationary public safety vehicle displaying emergency light violations — 2 points
  • Slow Speed — 2 points
  • Lanes of travel violations — 2 points
  • Street racing — 6 points
  • Vehicles traveling in opposite directions violations — 2 points
  • Overtaking and passing of vehicles same direction violations— 2 points
  • Improper passing — 2 points
  • Crossing yellow line — 2 points
  • One-way traffic violations — 2 points
  • Space between vehicles violations (following too closely) — 2 points
  • Crossing divided highway — 2 points
  • Improper turn at intersection — 2 points
  • Prohibited U-turn — 2 points
  • Improper starting or backing — 2 points
  • Turn and stop signal violations — 2 points
  • Right-of-way violations at through highways, stop signs, yield signs — 2 points
  • Obstructing view and control of driver / opening door into moving traffic — 2 points
  • Driving on closed highway — 2 points
  • Obstructing an intersection — 2 points
  • Placing injurious material on highway — 2 points
  • Failure to stop for school bus — 2 points
  • Prohibited earphones or earplugs — 2 points
  • Operating a vehicle under the influence of alcohol or drugs (OVI) with blood or breath alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0 .17 or higher — 6 points
  • OVI with refusal to submit to testing — 6 points
  • Fourth or subsequent OVI (felony) — 6 points
  • Underage OVI — 4 points
  • Assured clear distance violations — 2 points
  • Driving left of center — 2 points
  • Failure to yield right of way — 2 points
  • Failure to yield right of way of pedestrians or blind persons — 2 points
  • Hitchhiking violations — 2 points
  • Stop sign violations at dangerous highway crossings over railroad tracks — 2 points
  • Stopping at railroad grade crossing violations — 2 points
  • Stopping at grade crossing violations — 2 points

When a person accumulates points, the offenses and the points stay on their record for two years. Six points will result in a warning letter and 12 points will merit a suspension of your driver’s license.

Reinstatement requirements typically involve serving a six-month suspension, completing a remedial driving course, filing a certificate of insurance (known as an SR-22), paying a reinstatement fee, and retaking the complete driver license exam.  

Driver’s License Suspensions for Traffic Violations

Ohio Revised Code § 4510.02(A) establishes definite periods of suspension that courts can impose when they elect or are required to suspend the driver's license, commercial driver's license, temporary instruction permit, probationary license, or nonresident operating privilege of any offender from a specified suspension class. A court must impose a definite period of suspension from the range specified for the suspension class:

  • Class One Suspension — Life.
  • Class Two Suspension — Three years to life
  • Class Three Suspension — Two to 10 years.
  • Class Four Suspension — One to five years.
  • Class Five Suspension — Six months to three years.
  • Class Six Suspension — Three months to two years.
  • Class Seven Suspension — Up to one year.

Under Ohio Revised Code § 4510.02(B), a suspension from the bureau of motor vehicles must be as follows:

  • Class A Suspension — Three years.
  • Class B Suspension — Two years.
  • Class C Suspension — One year.
  • Class D Suspension — Six months.
  • Class E Suspension — Three months.
  • Class F Suspension — Until conditions are met.

Columbus, OH Traffic Violation Resources

Traffic Violations Bureau | Franklin County Municipal Court — The Traffic Violations Bureau manages all tickets and complaints issued by 21 municipal law enforcement agencies and eight townships within Franklin County. The list includes the Columbus Division of Police, Ohio State Highway Patrol, Franklin County Sheriff, Ohio State University Police, and Port Columbus Police. Tickets can be paid online, in person, or by mail.

Traffic Diversion Program | Columbus City Attorney — Visit this website to learn more about the Columbus City Attorney’s Traffic Diversion Program. Learn more about the goals, eligibility, and outcomes. If you successfully complete the Traffic Diversion Program, the charge against you will be dismissed upon payment of court costs and the non-refundable administrative fee.

DragonCam nails 9,352 speeders on I-76 in Norton; represents $1.8 million in fines — View November 2018 Akron Beacon Journal story about the 9,352 civil violations for speeding Norton issued between September 10 and October 31 of that year thanks to a photo-enforced radar program.  The speed limit in the active construction zone was 55 mph but was returned to 65 mph by the Ohio Department of Transportation as the construction work has been completed for the season. Norton announced that the photo-enforced program was temporarily suspended for the winter season but would return in the spring when active construction begins again.

Contact a Columbus Traffic Violation Defense Lawyer Today

Did you recently receive any kind of traffic citation in the greater Columbus area? You have the right to fight that ticket, and an experienced attorney can help possibly get the citation thrown out.

Sabol | Mallory handles all kinds of traffic offenses for clients all over Franklin County. Call (614) 300-5088 or contact us online to set up a free consultation.

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