David L. Parker, P.C. defends clients’ rights in Harrisonburg traffic violation cases. When charged with a Harrisonburg traffic violation ticket, you receive demerit points, fines, and in more serious cases, jail time.
In Virginia, the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) has a demerit point system that assigns points for traffic violations. The demerit system has six-point, four-point, and three-point violations tied to the severity of traffic violations.
Examples of six-point violations include:
- Reckless driving—speeding in excess of 80 mph (miles per hour) or 20 mph over the posted speed limit, racing, passing a school bus, and more.
- Driving under the influence (DUI)
- Vehicular manslaughter
- Driving on suspended license or while the license is revoked
- Driving commercial motor vehicles while disqualified, or under the influence of drugs or blood alcohol at .04 or higher
Examples of four point violations include:
- Reckless driving—speeding 10 to 19 mph above the posted limit
- Failure to stop or yield the right of way to a police or emergency vehicle or pedestrian with a white cane
- Failure to keep to the right
- Following too closely Improper signal use
- Failure to obey railroad crossing lights or stop signs, or to slow when indicated
- Failure to stop at the scene of a crash involving more than $500 in damage
Examples of three point violations include:
- Speeding 1-9 mph above the posted speed limit
- Impeding traffic with slow speed Improper passing
- Failure to obey highway signs
- Driving without lights or with excessive lights
- Driving without a Virginia license or license plate—for in-state residents
Harrisonburg traffic violation penalties Within a three-year period, 18 or more demerit points result in 60-day license suspension and 24 or more points result in a 120-day suspension. Six point violations stay on your record for 11 years, four point violations for five years, and three point violations for three years. A Harrisonburg auto accident caused by a traffic violation can result in serious consequences. Some reckless driving charges are misdemeanors, and some are felonies with prison sentences. All violations carry processing fees and other fines.