AUTUMN’S arrival this year is accompanied by a host of new traffic laws, which will force drivers to reconsider major aspects of their driving habits and more.
Violation of these new laws can potentially result in up to a year in prison, as well as thousands of dollars in fines, especially in the case of reckless or negligent drivers.
Drivers will want to watch their speed wherever applicable from October onward[/caption]
New parking and speeding camera practices could leave drivers with hundreds in fines[/caption]
Speeding on open stretches of highway could create legal chaos for drivers[/caption]
A total of ten new major traffic and parking laws and regulations are hitting the nation in just a few days as October starts.
While some seek to punish highway miscreants endangering fellow motorists, others focus on the aesthetics of a car and how these additional features cause confusion.
Drivers in the related regions where these new laws being implemented could pay some hefty prices if they don’t brush up on what’s coming.
$425 FEE FOR 40+ OVER
Maryland’s new law is one of the biggest, firstly classifying reckless driving as its own traffic offense. Penalties include up to 60 days in jail and a max fine of $1,000.
The law defines reckless or negligent driving as going 30 mph or higher over the posted speed limit.
The law also introduces new speeding cameras and a graduated scale of fines for them. These are a $50 fine for going 12 to 15 mph over, $70 for 16 to 19 mph over, $120 for 20 to 29 mph over, $230 for 30 to 39 mph over, and $425 for drivers 40 mph or over the limit.
MARYLAND LICENSE REVOCATIONS
Another new traffic law going into effect in Maryland on October 1 is one that focuses on licensing privileges, specifically for motorists convicted of impaired driving.
If the incident they were convicted for caused death or life-threatening injury to another, or if the fled the scene, the revocation of their driver’s license is now required by the state.
However, those who have their licenses revoked can eventually apply for reinstatement after a certain period of time.
LOSE THE ILLEGAL LIGHTS
Florida is yet another state with multiple laws going into effect on October 1. The most relevant one focuses on cars which have additional front-facing lights of a red, red-and-white, or blue color.
Those drivers who have these lights on their car and are caught attempting to imitate or impersonate law enforcement can be hit with fines as high as $5,000 and up to five years in prison.
However, even just having these lights on your car is risky, as an officer could pull you over something they interpret as law enforcement imitation even if that wasn’t your intention.
PROPERTY DAMAGE PAYMENTS
Florida drivers who crash into property or another car and flee the scene won’t get far, as they’ll now be liable to pay for any damage they caused by doing so.
This law only applies to damaged vehicles or property, meaning accidents where a person was injured don’t fall under this law’s purview.
CAR CHASES BECOME COSTLY
Biggest New Laws Coming October 1
Some of the biggest new laws coming to the nation in October could change how car owners drive and customize their vehicles.
- Maryland will officially classify reckless driving as going 30 mph or higher over the posted speed limit. This is a punishable traffic offense which carries up to $1,000 in fines and 60 days in jail. The state is also introducing a sliding scale for speeding camera tickets, ranging from $50 for 12 to 15 mph over the limit and as high as $425 for 40 mph or higher over the limit.
- Connecticut will officially classify reckless driving as going 100m mph or faster. First-time offenders will receive a fine ranging from $200 to $600, and up to 30 days in prison. Repeat offenders can face a $1,000 fine and a year in prison, as well as having their car towed and impounded for 48 hours if they have a prior reckless driving conviction.
- Florida is introducing a law which could punish drivers who have front-facing red, red-and-white, or blue lights on their car and are attempting to imitate or impersonate law enforcement. Fines can reach as high as $5,000 with up to five years in prison, and drivers with these lights may be pulled over at an officer’s discretion of what constitutes impersonation/imitation, regardless of the driver’s intent.
- Connecticut has passed a law protecting drivers from predatory towing practices. This includes prohibiting towing a vehicle for expired parking permits or registration, or from private property unless blocking traffic, fire hydrants, or unlawfully occupying a handicap space. The law also forces towing companies to wait 30 days before selling a vehicle in their possession, adds extra rules to this process which benefit vehicle owners, and says all towing companies must accept credit card payments.
Florida is also looking to take action against drivers who lead law enforcement on car chases, whether intentionally or as a heat of the moment decision.
The law specifies that fleeing and aggravated fleeing are raised from Level 4 and 5 to 5 and 6 offenses, respectively. While these are varied jail times for first offenders, repeat offenders will have a 1.5x multiplier added to their sentences.
TRENTON’S LAW
Named after 18-year-old football player Trenton Stewart who was killed in a DUI crash, this Florida law seeks to more harshly punish those convicted of manslaughter while driving or boating under the influence.
Repeat offenders will have their max sentences doubled to 30 years in prison. The law also specifies that refusing to take a urine or breath test after a DUI arrest can become a second- or first-degree misdemeanor.
CONNECTICUT’S RECKLESS DRIVING LAW
Yet another state with several laws going into effect on October 1 is Connecticut. Like Maryland, the state is also creating a new category of traffic offense for reckless driving, specifically at speeds of 100 mph or higher.
The law specifies a minimum fine of $200 and a maximum of $600 for a first offense, as well as up to 30 days in prison. These increase to up to $1,000 and a year in prison for repeat offenders.
The law also gives officers the ability to tow and impound the vehicle of a reckless driver with a prior conviction for 48 hours, with the owner liable to pay the storage and towing fees.
MOTORCYCLE GEAR MANDATE
Connecticut is also introducing a new law which will mandate motorcyclists under 21-years-old to wear a helmet while riding. The cutoff was previously for those under 18-years-old.
Concerns for the safety of young and relatively new riders is a major reason for the law. Violators will be hit with a $90 fine, and the law also applies to e-bikes without pedals that have batters higher than 750 watts.
TOWING COMPANIES TAKEN DOWN
The state of Connecticut is also implementing a law which benefits drivers by targeting predatory towing practices. These reforms could potentially save drivers thousands in a worst-case scenario.
The legislation revokes the right to tow vehicles due to expired parking permits or registrations, and from private property unless blocking traffic, fire hydrants, or are parked in a handicap space.
The law also forces towing companies to wait 30 days before selling a vehicle in their possession, up from the previous 15, and adds additional restrictions which protect owners. Towing companies also must now accept credit card payments.
SURPRISE PARKING TICKETS
Finally, Hoboken is set to implement traffic cameras to send out parking tickets to violators. However, these violations will be mailed to registration addresses, meaning drivers will get no immediate notification.
The parking infractions the cameras can ticket motorists for in certain areas of the New Jersey city include double parking, blocking bike lanes, stopping in bike zones, and improper use of loading zones.
