Ohio’s Point System for Traffic Violations
The results of driving irresponsibly include accidents and fines,
and could affect your auto insurance premium. In fact, one at-fault
accident can result in up to three years of surcharges. More than
one could place you in a higher risk category or even cause nonrenewal.
Points charged for traffic violations
In July 1996, Ohio’s speed limits were raised to 65 mph on
designated urban interstates and rural highways for passenger vehicles
and commercial buses. As a result, the point system for moving violations
was updated by the Ohio Department of Public Safety.
Any Ohio driver convicted of a traffic violation is assessed a
specific number of penalty points according to the type of violation.
If convicted of a second or subsequent offense within two years
after the first violation, the point assessment for the new violation
is added to the driver’s previous total. For example, if you
were cited for speeding in excess of the speed limit and were given
two points for the violation, and within two years were and were
given two points for the violation, and within two years were cited
for drag racing, your total point accumulation would be eight.
The points for specific moving violations follow.
Six-point violations
- Homicide by vehicle
- Operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol
and/or any drug of abuse
- Failure to stop and disclose identity at the scene of a crash
- Willingly fleeing or eluding a law enforcement officer
- Drag racing
- Operating a motor vehicle without the consent of the owner
- Operating a motor vehicle while your license is under suspension
or revocatio
- Using a motor vehicle in the commission of a felony, or committing
any crime punishable as a felony under Ohio Motor Vehicle Laws
Four-point violations
- Willful or wanton disregard of the safety of persons or property
- Operating a vehicle after under-age alcohol consumption
Two-point violations
- All moving violations except those pertaining to load limits
- Operating a motor vehicle in violation of a restriction imposed
by the Registrar of the Bureau of Motor Vehicles
Speeding violations
Violating any prima facie speed limit (safe for existing road conditions)
is a two-point violation. Violations of the absolute speed limit
come under a progressive point system.
- First offense: Two points if convicted of a violation
in excess of 75 mph
- Second offense within a year: One point for each full
5 mph increment, excluding the first 5 mph over the posted speed
limit
- Third and subsequent offenses within a year: Two points
for each full 5 mph increment, excluding the first 5 mph over
the posted speed limit
Point system for 55 mph speed limit areas
The chart below shows the progressive point system for areas with
a posted speed limit of 55 mph, including vehicles weighing more
than 8,000 pounds.
Point system for 65 mph speed limit areas
Motorists receive two points if they exceed 75 mph on their first
offense in areas posting a maximum speed of 65 mph. If a driver
violates the law again within a one-year period, the graduated point
system is enforced. This point system is only enforced on Ohio interstates
outside of urban areas, and applies to cars and other vehicles weighing
under 8,000 pounds. The chart below provides the graduated point
system for 65 mph zones.
Note: The pint system charts show the points assigned as recommended
by statute. Judges have the final jurisdiction as to the actual
number of points issued.
Penalties
A driver having six points will receive a letter from the Registrar
of Motor Vehicles indicating the following penalties should 12 or
more points be accumulated within a two-year period:
- Suspension of driving privileges for six months
- Proof of financial responsibility must be filed with the Bureau
of Motor Vehicles and maintained for five years. Your insurance
company will notify the BMV if, within the five-year monitoring
period, your policy lapses, is nonrenewed or is terminated.
- Upon completion of suspension, a remedial driving course approved
by the Director of Public Safety must be taken. The course must
include a minimum of 25% of its classroom hours devoted to instruction
on driver attitude.
- A new driving test must be taken
Driving under suspension
Operating a motor vehicle while a license is under suspension is
a first degree misdemeanor. If convicted, the driver is subject
to a fine of up to $1,000 or six months in jail, or both. The violator
may also be sentenced to an additional one-year drivers license
suspension.
Two-point “credit”
A driver who accumulates more than five but no more than 11 points
for traffic violations is eligible for a one-time, two-point credit
by completing an approved remedial driving course.
The two-point “credit” offered through this program doesn’t
erase any convictions from a person’s official driving record
and doesn’t eliminate any prior convictions that an insurance
company may take into consideration in premium assessments. All
convictions remain on the driver’s record, but the points needed
for the 12-point suspension are extended by two.
Source: Ohio Department of Public Safety’s
Digest of Motor Vehicle Laws
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Based on US Justice Department data,
19.3 million Americans were pulled over by the police in 1999.
This equates to one in 10 licensed drivers being stopped. 54%
percent of stopped drivers received tickets and 84% of drivers
pulled over considered the stop legitimate.
(US News & World Report, 3/26/01) |
Source: Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles Web site: www.state.oh.us/odps/division/bmv/2000Facts.html
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