Theory
In theory, moving violations are more
likely to directly cause physical harm to persons and property. The other
form of violations may cause theoretical risk (nonfunctional taillight) or
be limited to financial risk (failure to maintain insurance).
Types
While some violations, like parking
violations, are civil matters involving a vehicle's owner, moving violations
are charged against the actual driver. However, moving violations enforced
by automated camera enforcement may be prosecuted as civil violations
against the vehicle's owner.
Moving violations are usually classified as
infractions or misdemeanors, but serious violations can be considered
felonies.
The most commonly enforced moving
violation, and the overwhelmingly most frequent reason for a vehicle
pullover (regardless of type of citation issued, if any), are violations of
the speed limit. Measurements of motorist speed throughout time have found
many roadways where compliance with speed laws is very low, making many
motorists liable to be pulled over at the discretion of law enforcement.
Costs
In most places, moving violations involve
fines which must be paid as well as punitive points assessed to the
license of the driver. As a driver accumulates points, he or she may be
required to attend defensive driving lessons, re-take his or her driving
test, pay additional taxes, or even surrender his or her license.
Additionally, drivers with more points on their driving record often must
pay more for car insurance than drivers with fewer.
Sometimes tickets are used in a speed trap
as a form of fundraising. For example, a local government that is suffering
a budget shortfall may ticket more aggressively within its jurisdiction to
increase revenue.
In the United States, citation fines can
vary widely between jurisdictions for the same behaviour, usually between
$25
and $1000. In countries such as Finland, however, they are specific
proportions of the violator's income, and fines in excess of $100,000 can be
assessed to wealthy individuals. In Canada, each province is individual in
how they treat similar behaviour and each violation usually includes a set
fine and demerit points against the driver's license. For example, a
speeding ticket in Ontario of 50+ km over is 6 demerit points against the
driver's licence with the approximate fine calculated as (km over x 9.75) x
1.25, as well it carries a one week automatic licence suspension and car
impoundment. In Manitoba speeding in excess of 49 km is 8 demerit points and
a fine of 557 dollars.
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