Road rules & stuff

Distracted driving law

Drivers over 18 can only use electronic devices in ‘hands-free’ mode (if younger not at all unless in emergencies).

Distance given to ‘vulnerable road users’ (bicyclists, pedestrians)

Slow and pass with at least 4ft

Civil motor vehicle infraction (CMVI)

Noncriminal civil violation (speeding or running a red light) that may result in fines but not criminal charges.

Penalties for speeding

$105 baseline fine, over 10mph above the speed limit and you pay an extra $10 for each mph above this 10.

Work zone speeding

Speeding in a work zone doubles the fine.

Surchargable events

Traffic violations that increase insurance rates.

3 surchargable events within a 2-year period

License suspended until you complete a Driver Retraining

course. $100 fee to reinstate.

Seven surchargable events within a 3-year period

License suspended for 60 days. $100 fee to reinstate.

3 speeding violations

License suspended for 30 days, fee to reinstate is $100.

Out-of-state suspension

License suspended until Out-of-state suspension is resolved, fee to reinstate is $100.

Habitual Traffic Offender

A total of three major moving violations or any combination of twelve major or minor moving violations within a five-year period. License suspended for 4 years, $500 fee to reinstate.

Operating a motor vehicle with a suspended or revoked license

60 day-1 year suspension, $500 fee to reinstate

Operating a motor vehicle without the owner’s authority / larceny of a motor vehicle

1-3 year suspension, $500 fee to reinstate.

Leaving the scene of a crash when a person is injured

1-2 year suspension, $500 fee to reinstate.

Leaving the scene of a crash involving property damage

60 day-1 year suspension, $500 fee to reinstate.

Operating to endanger

60 day-1 year suspension, $500 fee to reinstate.

Motor vehicle homicide

15 year to lifetime suspension, $500 fee to reinstate.

Vehicular manslaughter

15 year to lifetime suspension, $500 fee to reinstate.

Operating under the influence of alcohol or drugs, 1st, 2nd, 3rd offense.

1st: 1 year $500 fee to reinstate

2nd: 2 years $700 fee to reinstate

3rd: 8 year $1200 fee to reinstate

Space for an emergency vehicle and school bus

350ft behind emergency vehicle, 100ft behind a school bus

Negligent Operation and Injury from Mobile Phone Use

60-day to 1 year suspension, $500 fee to reinstate.

OUI 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th offense.

1st: $500-5,000 fine, max 2 ½ year prison sentence, 1 year license suspension.

2nd: $600-10,000 fine. min 30 day max 2 ½ year prison, 45-90 day suspension (under 21) or 210 day suspension (over 21). for this and every offense past this you have to retake the permit and driver’s license exam

3rd: $1,000-15,000 fine, min 150 day max 5 year prison, 8 year suspension.

Failed chemical test suspension for each age range.

over 21: 30-day suspension

18-21: 30-day + 180 day suspension

under 18: 30 day + 1 year suspension

Under 21 offenses require an alcohol education course.

Refusing a chemical test

Under 18: - No prior offenses: 180 days

• One prior offense: three years

• Two prior offenses: Five years

• Three or more: Lifetime

18-21: - No prior offenses: three years +180 days

• One prior offense: three years + 180 days

• Two prior offenses: Five years + 180 days

• Three or more: Lifetime

18-21: - No prior offenses: three years + 1 year

• One prior offense: three years + 1 year

• Two prior offenses: Five years + 1 year

• Three or more: Lifetime

Driving distracted penalties

1st offense: $100 fine

2nd offense: $250 fine plus distracted driving educational program

3rd and subsequent offense: $500 fine plus distracted driving educational program

Hand Signals