Charlotte Criminal Lawyer Blog
Safe Driver Incentive Plan Explained
Safe driving results in fewer accidents and that means fewer injuries and fatalities on our roadways. Drivers face getting points on their driver’s licenses when they violate traffic laws, but many people are not aware of the impact that accidents and traffic tickets have on insurance rates. The Safe Driver Incentive Plan (SDIP) is a program that was established by law. The more points you accumulate, the more your insurance rates will rise. If you do not have any traffic violations or accidents, your insurance rates will not be impacted.
How SDIP Works
When a driver is guilty of an infraction, a number of points are assessed to the person’s driving record for insurance purposes. There are a number of points assigned to specific types of violations. Minor violations are typically 1 point and the number of points increases with the severity of the infraction. Some examples of point assignment are:
- 1 Point – Most minor traffic violations, speeding (less than 10 mph over the posted speed limit when the speed limit is 55 mph or less), at-fault accident with damages less than $2,300.
- 2 Points – Following too closely, illegal passing, driving on the wrong side of the road, some speeding infractions, some at-fault accidents.
- 3 Points – At-fault accident that resulted in death or total property damage
- 4 Points – Reckless driving, hit and run with property damage, passing a stopped school bus, some speeding violations, DUI by a person under the age of 21.
- 8 Points – Driving with a revoked or suspended license or registration, aggressive driving.
- 10 Points – Highway racing or speeding to elude arrest.
- 12 Points – Manslaughter, hit and run resulting in bodily injury or death, DUI, impaired driving, transporting illegal liquor for sale.
It is important to note that the number of points charged for SDIP purposes is different from the points charged on your driving record.
How Much Will My Insurance Increase?
The amount of an insurance increase depends on the number of points a driver accumulates. Insurance increases can be substantial and may even cause you hardship in your ability to pay for insurance.
- 1 Point – Insurance increase of 40%
- 2 Points – Insurance increase of 55%
- 3 Points – Insurance increase of 70%
- 4 Points – Insurance increase of 90%
- 8 Points – Insurance increase of 200%
- 10 Points – Insurance increase of 260%
- 12 Points – Insurance increase of 340%
The increase in insurance rates can be overwhelming. For this reason, you may wish to fight a traffic ticket in court. If you win the case, there are no charges and therefore, no points assessed for insurance purposes. There may be another way to resolve a traffic violation.
What is a Prayer of Judgment Continued?
A Prayer of Judgment Continued (PJC) is an option that allows a driver to not be charged with points under some circumstances. If the driver has no further violations during the period, the traffic ticket will be removed. A person may request a PJC no more than once every three years. Only one PJC is allowed per household during the three-year period. For speeding tickets, a person may request a PJC in cases where the violation was 10 mph or less over the speed limit and did not occur in a school zone.
If you received a moving violation, you may want to fight it in court. Call us today at Arnold & Smith, PLLC, at (704) 370-2828 to learn how we can help.
The criminal defense attorneys at Arnold & Smith, PLLC make it their mission to zealously defend their clients on a wide range of criminal matters at both the state and federal levels. These matters may include any charge from traffic offenses; DWI/DUI; drug charges (from simple possession to possession with intent to distribute and trafficking); gun permit denials; weapons offenses; and property crimes (larceny, breaking and entering, robbery, fraud, embezzlement, white collar offenses); to sexually related offenses (indecent exposure; sexual assault, crimes against nature, removal from sex offender registry); and violent crimes (domestic violence; assault; manslaughter; homicide, murder). Other legal issues that Arnold & Smith, PLLC criminal clients may be facing include restraining orders, restraining order and probation violations, expungements; appeals; and immigration issues related to criminal charges. Our criminal defense attorneys are passionate about ensuring that individuals empower themselves by being informed about their constitutional rights and stand at the ready to fight in the defense of those facing criminal charges.
Source:
https://www.ncdoi.gov/consumers/auto-and-vehicle-insurance/safe-driver-incentive-plan
Image Credit:
https://www.freeimages.com/photo/driver-1431212
See Our Related Video from our YouTube channel:
https://www.youtube.com/user/ArnoldSmithPLLC/videos
See Our Related Blog Posts:
Driver Improvement Clinics