TIP FOR LOWERING YOUR RECKLESS DRIVING CONVICTION IN VIRGINIA

Many Virginians are unaware of an interesting statute used by defense attorneys and judges throughout Virginia that allows a charge of RECKLESS DRIVING to be reduced to what’s known as IMPROPER DRIVING.   Improper driving is specified in the Virginia code under section 46.2-869.

Why is this important for you as a driver?

Matt Kaminsky, president of BESTtrafficschool.com, a DMV-licensed computerized driver improvement clinic in Virginia says: “A reckless driving conviction in Virginia is a class 1 misdemeanor, whereas an improper driving conviction is only a traffic infraction, so any driver facing a reckless driving charge should request and vie for the reduced charge of improper driving.  Drivers should consult a licensed defense attorney for legal advice, but it’s important for Virginia drivers to know that this is a possible option for them, versus just throwing in the towel.” 

This is a great advice for many reasons, as a reckless driving conviction has a much more severe impact on your record and your wallet than an improper driving conviction does.

Let’s compare:

RECKLESS DRIVING

Class 1 misdemeanor

Maximum $2500 fine

Up to 12 months in Jail

Up to 6 months suspension of your driver’s license

6 points on your record

Remains on your record for 11 years

IMPROPER DRIVING

Traffic infraction

Maximum $500 fine

No jail time

No license suspension

3 points on your record

Remains on your record for 3 years

As you can see, it’s in your best interests to be aware of this statute and to have it in your arsenal of options.  However, just because the statute exists doesn’t guarantee a reduction.  Judges and prosecutors have the power to amend your charge, but usually only exercise the option when your culpability is slight (meaning it’s a minimal case)

So what constitutes a minimal case?  This can vary court to court, but for instance, borderline speed (a charge of speeding just slightly over the limit for what’s considered reckless) is an instance where a judge may give a little.  Also if you were charged as being at fault in an accident, many times the officer on the scene will write you up for reckless driving because that’s all they can charge.  They cannot write an improper driving ticket. Therefore when a judge is presented with all the evidence, he or she may reduce your charge.

If you’ve been charged with reckless driving, or find yourself charged anytime in the future, just know that depending on the severity of your charge, you may have the option of reducing it to improper driving.

Isn’t this option a whole lot better than the alternative?

Nevada DMV Issues First Autonomous Vehicle Testing License to Google

Google's self-driving test vehicle will display a red license plate with an infinity symbol

The Nevada Department of Motor Vehicles has approved Google's license application to test autonomous vehicles on Nevada public roads.  It is the first license issued in the United States under new laws and regulations that put Nevada at the forefront of autonomous vehicle development.

After driver testing demonstrations along freeways, state highways and neighborhoods both in Carson City and the busy Las Vegas Strip, the department's Autonomous Review Committee met to review Google's safety plans, employee training, system functions and accident reporting mechanisms.  The committee approved the application and is now creating the state's first autonomous testing business license and license plates for the international company.  The license plates displayed on the test vehicle will have a red background and feature an infinity symbol on the left side.

"I felt using the infinity symbol was the best way to represent the 'car of the future,'"  Department Director Bruce Breslow said.  "The unique red plate will be easily recognized by the public and law enforcement and will be used only for licensed autonomous test vehicles.  When there comes a time tat vehicle manufacturers market autonomous vehicles to the public, that infinity symbol will appear on a green license plate."

Google was the first company to file an application with the department to test their autonomous system.  Other auto manufacturers have indicated their desire to test and develop autonomous technology in Nevada in the future.

How do you feel about self-driving vehicles on your roads?

Welcome to the future!

NEVADA CARES ABOUT ITS PEOPLE, TOO

Well, it seems that the state of Nevada is a little more progressive than a lot of people give it credit for. On January 1 of this year, Nevada became only the 10^th U.S. state to pass a state law prohibiting the use of  hand-held cell phones while driving.  The law also applies to TEXTING while driving.

NEVADANS BEWARE:  The police are out in full force and thousands of Nevadans have already been ticketed.  Hundreds of warnings were issued for the last 3 months of last year to help prepare people for the new law.  But now that 2012 is off and running, enforcement is strict and police are citing those who ignore the law.

Keep in mind that you may still talk using a hands-free headset and are allowed to touch the phone to “activate, deactivate or initiate a feature or function on the device.”  However, anything beyond that has been deemed dangerous and you will be cited for doing so.  The Office of Traffic Safety reports that the Las Vegas Metropolitan police issued a staggering 2,261 tickets just in the first quarter of this year.  An additional 1,645 tickets were issued by the Nevada Highway Patrol’s northern command.  All in all – this is having a significant impact on Nevadan’s wallets and driving records.

The fines are:

$50 -    for the first offense in seven years

$100 -  for the second

$250 -  for the third and subsequent offenses

Fines are DOUBLED if the offense takes place in a work zone!

The only good news is that the FIRST offense is not treated as a moving violation for DMV and insurance purposes.  But after the first violation…you’re out of luck and your finances could take an additional hit due to insurance increases.

HINT: According to authorities, cellphone use while at a stoplight is the NUMBER ONE violation of the new law. 

While we all may feel like this new law provides us less freedom, the ultimate goal is to save lives.

Here are just a few scary statistics:

• A recent study identified talking on a cell phone while behind the wheel as roughly equivalent to having consumed two strong drinks of alcohol.

• About 6,000 deaths and a half a million injuries are caused by distracted drivers every year.

• Talking on a cell phone while driving can make a young driver’s reaction time as slow as that of a 70-year-old.

• Answering a text takes away your attention for about five seconds. That is enough time to travel the length of a football field.

• Almost 50% of all drivers between the ages of 18 and 24 are texting and driving.

So while the law is an adjustment, it just proves that Nevada cares about its people.  It will take a little adjustment, but really it shouldn’t be that hard.  Get yourself an inexpensive earphone or think about having your vehicle wired with a hands-free device that uses your vehicle’s own stereo system as the speakers.

Nevada joins California, Connecticut, Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Washington, and West Virginia – along with Guam, the Virgin Islands, and Washington, D.C. in passing this type of legislation.

Isn’t it about time?

Shouldn’t all states jump on board?

BestTrafficSchool.com - TWO TIME WINNER

BestTrafficSchool.com Receives 2012 Best of Mechanicsville Award

U.S. Commerce Association’s Award Plaque Honors the Achievement

NEW YORK, NY, April 17, 2012 -- For the second consecutive year, BestTrafficSchool.com has been selected for the 2012 Best of Mechanicsville Award in the Education category by the U.S. Commerce Association (USCA).  The USCA "Best of Local Business" Award Program recognizes outstanding local businesses throughout the country. Each year, the USCA identifies companies that they believe have achieved exceptional marketing success in their local community and business category. These are local companies that enhance the positive image of small business through service to their customers and community.

Nationwide, only 1 in 70 (1.4%) 2012 Award recipients qualified as Two-Time Award Winners. Various sources of information were gathered and analyzed to choose the winners in each category. The 2012 USCA Award Program focuses on quality, not quantity. Winners are determined based on the information gathered both internally by the USCA and data provided by third parties.

About U.S. Commerce Association (USCA)

U.S. Commerce Association (USCA) is a New York City based organization funded by local businesses operating in towns, large and small, across America. The purpose of USCA is to promote local business through public relations, marketing and advertising.

The USCA was established to recognize the best of local businesses in their community. Our organization works exclusively with local business owners, trade groups, professional associations, chambers of commerce and other business advertising and marketing groups. Our mission is to be an advocate for small and medium size businesses and business entrepreneurs across America.

SOURCE: U.S. Commerce Association

CONTACT:
U.S. Commerce Association
Email: PublicRelations@uscaaward.com
URL: http://www.uscaaward.com

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The FACTS about California's new traffic school law

Lots of rumors floating around about a new law in California that impacts a driver's ability to take TRAFFIC SCHOOL to dismiss a citation from his or her driving record after receiving a traffic ticket.

While it's true that a new California law took effect on July 1, 2011 that changes the way traffic violations appear on your DMV record, it is NOT true that taking traffic school will no longer have an impact.  Taking traffic school will still play a significant role in keeping your driving record clean and keeping your insurance rates low.

Let's take a look at the facts to clear up any confusion:


THE OLD SYSTEM:  

• CA law allowed drivers to take traffic school once every 18 months
• Completing traffic school allowed for the courts to DISMISS the infraction from the driving record
• The citation would not appear on the DMV record
• The insurance companies would not see the infraction, therefore no insurance increases

Traffic school expert explains the problem with this system:


Matt Kaminsky, the president & CEO of BESTtrafficschool.com, says,  "The old system provided a loophole for REPEAT OFFENDERS.  Under this program, since the infraction never appeared on the DMV record, the DMV had no way of actually knowing how many times a driver had attended traffic school within an 18-month period.  The result is that repeat offenders were often able to take traffic school 3, 4, or 5 times within an 18-month period without the DMV having a way of tracking this history."

The new policy closes the loophole that Kaminsky speaks of.

THE NEW SYSTEM:

• CA law allows drivers to take traffic school once every 18 months

• All infractions will show on the DMV record as driving convictions, giving the DMV the ability to track repeat offenders and prevent them from abusing the 18-month law

• Completing traffic school allows for the FIRST driving conviction within an 18-month period to be MASKED on your driving record

• The insurance companies will NOT be able to see the masked convictions, therefore NO INSURANCE INCREASE.

In reality, very little has changed.  The new law only affects those people out there who were trying to trick the system by attending traffic school more than the law allowed for.

So ignore the rumors and absorb the facts above.  

BOTTOM LINE:  If you receive a ticket, you'd be crazy not to attend traffic school if given the opportunity to do so.  Not only could you learn something beneficial that could make you a better driver, but you'll mask your conviction from your insurance company and keep your insurance rates low.

Ultimately, isn't that really what we're all looking for?

AMNESTY FOR YOUR TRAFFIC TICKETS?

Have you been a bad boy or girl?  Were you one of those drivers who received a traffic ticket in California and "forgot" to pay your fine?  Have the courts been hounding you for payments and tacking on hefty fines in late fees and additional assessments?  Well...until June 30th, 2012, you may be in luck.

The California Courts have implemented an amnesty program for traffic tickets! 

Sounds too good to be true, but Matt Kaminsky, president of BESTtrafficschool.com, confirms that certain unpaid tickets are eligible for a 50% discount under a one-time amnesty program.

That's right.  The total amount you owe can be cut in HALF! Including a 50% discount on any assessments that were added to your original fine.

Now before you start jumping for joy...let me clarify that not EVERY type of ticket is eligible:  PARKING TICKETS, DUI's. and RECKLESS DRIVING citations are not eligible for the amnesty program.

Furthermore, to qualify for amnesty all of the following conditions must be met:

1)  Your outstanding traffic debt was due to be paid in full before January 1, 2009

2)  The last date you made a payment was on or before January 1, 2009

3)  You either failed to appear in court or failed to pay in full

4)  You do not owe restitution to a victim on any case within the county where the violation was filed.

5)  You have no outstanding misdemeanor or felony warrants within the county where the violation was filed.

Do you meet these requirements?  If so, this program may be your "Get Out of Jail Free" (or 50% discounted) card.

So what do you do if you think you qualify?

First thing is to check with the superior court in the county where you got the ticket to determine how to pay for the traffic tickets that are eligible under this program. (The program includes both adult and juvenile code infractions as well as non-vehicle code infractions).

You will have to pay off your fine in one lump sum, but at a 50% discount the sting won't be as painful.  And if you need a little more time to come up with the money, most courts will accept payment via credit card, and then you can spend the next month or two paying it off.    

You can find contact information for your court on the State of California website.

But act quickly!  This program EXPIRES on June 30th, 2012!