Teens & Traffic Tickets

Last week was National Teen Driver Safety week, a week designated to remind us what we already know- the dangers of teen driving. I have represented many recently licensed teenagers who were involved in crashes, issued speeding tickets or cited with violating restricted license provisions.

It is important to understand the graduated license requirements in North Carolina. Shea Denning recently did an excellent summary in the NC Government blog. While your teenage driver may not remember their algebraic formula for the SAT, most teenage drivers I speak to can tell you exactly when, where and what time they can drive when they turn 16. The issue becomes whether they abide by the requirements. Many times young drivers were not engaging in reckless behavior when cited. Often they were only driving home from a babysitting job or a person's house. As a defense attorney handling these cases, it is important to separate these cases from the cases where reckless and careless behavior was engaged in.

Many parents ask if they should immediately enroll their teen in traffic school after receiving a traffic ticket or other traffic violation. I am often asked about Brakes traffic school in Mecklenburg County. Talk to an attorney first. Each case is different. As an attorney who handles traffic cases, I want to see the teen's driving record, speak to the driver, know how many family members are on the insurance policy and understand the circumstances around the case. Often overlooked is the teens performance in school. This is very helpful when negotiating a case.

Putting your teen behind the wheel likely ranks in the top three most anxious moments for parents. If the teen is then cited with a traffic ticket, it becomes extremely stressful for families.  As an attorney who works with teen drivers and parents regularly in North Carolina, there is often avenues that can be pursued which would prevent a license revocation or insurance increase. Talk to an attorney before going to court.

Traffic and Criminal Law Updates Provided by the Law Office of Carilyn Ibsen PLLC (888)543-2427

Should I Take Traffic School Before My Court Date?

Traffic school can be both a good and unnecessary option when you have received a speeding or other traffic violation. Confusion over this choice seems worth clarifying, since my office frequently receives calls regarding this subject.

The question begins when drivers in Mecklenburg County, or within the Charlotte area, receive a speeding ticket. During the traffic stop, the citing police officer suggests attending traffic school prior to the court date.

Traffic school can be required in some situations but not in the majority of traffic violations. For example, sometimes the District Attorney will require traffic school for a speed reduction. Other judges may require traffic school before a Prayer for Judgment (PJC) is granted.

Additionally, there are several different types of traffic school:

• 4 hour (green school)
• 8 hour (red school)
• Alive at 25 for younger drivers, and recently added
• "Behind the Wheel" traffic school where drivers complete parts of the class in vehicles. This new course is geared toward younger drivers who are historically higher risk drivers.

However, the majority of drivers who received a traffic ticket will not need to take traffic school. For example, drivers with good driving records or cited speeds slightly over the speed limit may not have to take traffic school.

A police officer is neither an attorney nor a judge. While perhaps meaning well (knowing full well that you are upset having received the speeding ticket), the officer issuing the ticket should not be giving legal advice during a traffic stop.

An attorney can be helpful in defining how each driver may best respond to the issuance of a traffic ticket.

For more information about traffic school in Mecklenburg, Gaston and Union county, click here.

Charlotte Traffic Updates are Provided By The Law Office of Carilyn Ibsen PLLC (888)543-2427