Traffic Violations

What Traffic Infractions Result In Criminal Charges?

Published on: February 25, 2026 | On behalf of Arnold & Smith, PLLC

What Traffic Infractions Result In Criminal Charges?

Driving requires you to adhere to the rules of the road. Laws are in place to ensure the safety of all vehicles. Most traffic infractions are minor in nature, and if you are in violation, you could receive a ticket. If you get too many tickets, you could face some consequences, such as the suspension of your driving privileges. However, some violations are considered so egregious that there are also potential criminal charges if you disobey them.

Hit and Run

Vehicle Registration Violations in North Carolina

Published on: January 28, 2026 | On behalf of Arnold & Smith, PLLC

Vehicle Registration Violations in North Carolina

North Carolina, like other states, requires all vehicle owners to properly register their vehicles. Every vehicle that travels on public roadways must have a current registration. In order to register a vehicle you must meet specific criteria. Vehicle registration is a sticker tag that is affixed to the rear license plate. The failure to display a current vehicle registration sticker could result in penalties. Generally, these violations are minor but in some circumstances, they could actually turn into a misdemeanor criminal violation.

Vehicle Registration Guidelines

Q and A: Reckless Driving in North Carolina

Published on: September 24, 2025 | On behalf of Arnold & Smith, PLLC

Q and A: Reckless Driving in North Carolina

What is the Definition of Reckless Driving?

Reckless driving is driving any vehicle on a highway or other public vehicular area “carelessly and heedlessly in willful or wanton disregard of the rights and safety of others”. It simply means that a driver was operating their vehicle in an unsafe manner or in a dangerous way. Reckless driving also applies to commercial vehicles carrying loads in an unsafe or dangerous manner. Typically, reckless driving is due to speeding, although it may apply to any situation in which a driver endangers others.

How Speed Limits are Determined May Change

Published on: August 27, 2025 | On behalf of Arnold & Smith, PLLC

How Speed Limits are Determined May Change

Speeding is one of the most common causes or contributing factors to vehicle accidents. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), almost a third of fatal crashes are due to speeding. Driving too fast can result in losing control of a vehicle and puts other drivers and pedestrians at risk. Most roads and highways have posted speed limits. Speed limits are designed to allow drivers to travel safely on roadways. However, the method used to set speed limits may soon be considered obsolete.

What is the 85th Percentile Rule?

North Carolina Campaign Cracks Down on Speeders

Published on: July 30, 2025 | On behalf of Arnold & Smith, PLLC

North Carolina Campaign Cracks Down on Speeders

Speeding is one of the leading causes of vehicle accidents. Driving too quickly can endanger the driver, passengers, and other vehicles on the roads. Speed is a factor in many accidents that result in injuries or fatalities. According to the North Carolina Department of Transportation, there were almost 400 deaths and thousands of injuries that were attributed to speeding last year. These accidents, injuries, and deaths are preventable. A new campaign is in place to crack down on North Carolina speeders.

https://youtu.be/mcoAB8pDGRY?si=PF9iPPsUwV6YH1Ys

What are Speed Limiting Devices?

Published on: April 2, 2025 | On behalf of Arnold & Smith, PLLC

What are Speed Limiting Devices?

Speeding is one of the leading causes of vehicle accidents. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, about one-third of all traffic fatalities are related to speeding. Speeding is not only considered a traffic violation, but in some cases, it can also be a criminal act. Reckless driving, for example, is a Class 2 misdemeanor in North Carolina. Some states are contemplating whether to require speed-limiting devices as a penalty for certain types of speeding violations. What are these devices, and how will they be used?

https://youtu.be/9b45-sclhew

Safe Driver Incentive Plan Explained

Published on: December 18, 2024 | On behalf of Arnold & Smith, PLLC

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

Driver Improvement Clinics

Published on: November 27, 2024 | On behalf of Arnold & Smith, PLLC

Driver Improvement Clinics

All drivers are required to obey the law when they are operating a motor vehicle. There are dozens of laws that are designed to promote safety and prevent accidents and injuries on the roadways. Drivers who fail to obey traffic laws may receive violations with penalties that may include fines and points assessed on their driving records. When points accumulate, a driver may lose driving privileges for a period of time. In some cases, a driver may be eligible for a driver improvement clinic.

What are Driver Improvement Clinics?

Can I Face Criminal Charges After a Traffic Accident?

Published on: September 4, 2024 | On behalf of Arnold & Smith, PLLC

Can I Face Criminal Charges After a Traffic Accident?

Accidents happen very regularly, and most people get into a fender-bender situation at some point in their lives. While, typically, vehicle accidents are civil matters that parties work out between their insurance companies, there are some circumstances that may result in criminal charges. An experienced criminal defense attorney will help you resolve issues that end up in court.

Leaving the Scene of an Accident

Should I Fight a Speeding Ticket in Court?

Published on: June 26, 2024 | On behalf of Arnold & Smith, PLLC

Should I Fight a Speeding Ticket in Court?

Almost everyone receives a speeding warning or ticket at some time in their lives. A speeding ticket is not necessarily a big deal, but in some cases, it can have a lasting impact. Generally, you have the option to simply send in a payment for the ticket or request a hearing. If you pay the ticket, you are admitting guilt, and therefore, you will be assessed a number of points on your driver’s license. If you wish to fight a speeding ticket, it is often helpful to seek guidance from an experienced defense attorney.

What are Points and Why Do They Matter?