Most people understand that a major moving violation (DUI, reckless driving etc) will lead to a surcharge by giving you ‘points’. But not everyone knows that many minor moving violations will also result in surcharges.
Here are some you may not have known:
- Failing to stop for a blind pedestrian- regardless of circumstance, you MUST stop for a blind pedestrian
- Leaving your car running unattended – we’re all guilty of this one, but it could get you ticketed
- Lane change without a directional signal (either a hand signal or a blinker) – again, a common infraction that is more than courtesy; it's the law.
- Failing to yield right of way to an emergency vehicle
- Failure to fasten a trailer with proper safety chains and/or equipment
- Tailgating –yes, you can be ticketed for following another car too closely - do your fellow driver a favor and stay off his tail
- Keeping your high beams on – be mindful of who you’re flashing with your brights; if it’s a trooper, you could get ticketed
- Failure to use headlights from 30 minutes after sunset to 30 minutes before sunrise
- Wearing ear buds or headphones while operating- Bluetooth is ok, headphones are not
- Improper use of your horn – if you honk just because you’re angry; you’re guilty. A horn is used to alert other cars of danger.
- Leaving your keys in the ignition – even if your engine is off, your keys should not be in the ignition
- Passing on the right
- Liquor: any minor cannot have liquor in the vehicle and anyone over 21 cannot have an open container in the vehicle
- Operating a vehicle without all mirrors functioning properly
- Passing on a motorcycle not in single-file
- Operating your vehicle on a bet or wager
- Obstructing funerals and processions
- Operating through a ‘peekhole’ in the windshield – if you have an incompletely defrosted windshield, don’t drive the vehicle. Let the windshield defrost first
- Passing any vehicle with less than 400 feet of view
- Employing any unlicensed operator
For more information, visit the RMV website