Accidents on roads happen all the time but that does not imply to stop going on the roads. All it requires is safe driving. It must be remembered that there are all kinds of drivers out there. The best way is to drive following the traffic signs at all times.

The process of getting a driving license and the tests that are to be taken before it are designed for the very reason that people understand the traffic rules and regulations before they sit behind the wheels. Even a mere understanding of these rules is not enough; the main part is following them.  To have the traffic rules and regulationsfollowed earnestly there is a traffic tickets system and traffic violation penalties that differ from state to state.

There are number of points assigned for each traffic violation. After each such violation points are added to the tally of the violating driver. When a driver reaches the maximum number of traffic violation points allowed by the state, the driver’s license is suspended.

The penalties of traffic violations depend on the seriousness of the violation or traffic offense. For minor violations there are traffic tickets. Traffic tickets are fines that can be paid in person, by phone or through the internet. Paying the ticket is admitting to the violation and getting the points for it. Those who do not want to admit to the violation always have the right to take the case to the court for legal hearing. A response to a ticket cannot be avoided or it can lead to suspension of the license. Unpaid traffic tickets in of itself is a serious traffic violation.

It must be remembered that point system also affects car insurance rates. If there are more points it shows a tendency to violate traffic rules, which may not sit well with the insurers and the result is that a person may get high auto insurance rates.

Other more serious traffic violations come in the category of criminal offenses. These can have disastrous consequences and can lead to automatic license suspension as well as other legal problems. Most serious amongst these violations is driving under influence (DUI) or what is also sometimes referred to as driving while intoxicated (DWI). This traffic violation is of major concern for the traffic authorities as this has been observed to be a common cause for major accidents. Most of the states allow 0.8 blood alcohol concentration (BAC) limit under which you can drive. Those who are under age that is they fall in the age category below 21 cannot drive under the influence at all (this means a BAC of less than 0.2 percent in most states and 0.1 percent in California). There is zero tolerance for them in some states.

Another serious traffic offence is the hit and run i.e. causing an accident and fleeing the scene. Often people in a hurry can choose to ignore the traffic signs but that means inviting trouble. It is considered a serious crime that can risk lives and can result in automatic license suspension and other legal complications. If the unfortunate even happens, the driver should not leave the scene and attempt to run as that would add to the seriousness of the crime. A person may be able to prove that an accident was unintentional but escaping the scene cannot be regarded as a mistake.  Driving without a valid license is also a serious traffic violation.Not driving with in the speed limits allowed is a moving violation. This includes both over and under speeding. It will not add as much points as other serious violations but that is not to say that a person can get away with it. Running a red light is also a moving violation which may not be a very serious violation but again the consequences of it can be so. Overdue parking meters can warrant a traffic ticket. Not wearing a seat belt while driving can also comes under violation of traffic rules.

All traffic rules are meant to ensure safe driving and following them only means that a person is not risking their own life or someone else’s.