Over 12,000 Speeders Caught in Statewide Campaign in North Carolina

June 16, 2011 (Press-News.org) Over 12,000 Speeders Caught in Statewide Campaign in North Carolina

Even minor speeding tickets and other violations, such as stop sign and stop light citations, may cause an increase in car insurance rates for three years after a citation is received.

In March, North Carolina law enforcement agencies along with the Governor's Highway Safety Program (GHSP) announced they were kicking off this year's "No Need 2 Speed" campaign. The focus of the campaign was to crack down on speeders throughout the state by increasing patrols on major highways and freeways.

According to a GHSP press release announcing No Need 2 Speed, nearly 27,000 speeders were cited during a similar campaign in November 2010. Out of the over 38,000 traffic and criminal violations issued during the most recent campaign, 12,476 motorists were cited for speeding.

While more officers and frequent patrols are the main presence during No Need 2 Speed, law enforcement agencies also encourage the public to report speeders and other dangerous driving activities through 911 and the State Highway Patrol's text messaging board.

Penalties and Points for Speeding

Aside from the financial considerations that speeding tickets bring, these citations can also accumulate points on your driver's license. In the point system currently used in the state, if you accumulate 12 points within a three year period, your license can be suspended.

According to the North Carolina Department of Transportation, your license will be suspended for 60 days on the first suspension. A second suspension will cause you to lose your license for six months and a third will leave you without a driver's license for one year.

New Law in School Zones

The North Carolina House and Senate recently changed the fine for speeding in a school zone. According to the new law, which is awaiting the Governor's signature, the fine would increase from its current level of $25 to $250 dollars.

Lawmakers pushed for this change, in part, due to a 2007 study by the Department of Transportation. This report found that nearly 80 percent of drivers speed in school zones.

Working With an Attorney

While they may seem like an inconvenience, it is important not to ignore speeding or other traffic citations. Thinking these tickets will go away on their own can only lead to more problems later on. If you have recently been cited for any traffic violation, it is important to contact an experienced attorney to discuss your case.

Article provided by Wood, Rabil & Peake, LLP
Visit us at http://www.wrplaw.net