Traffic violations encompass a variety of breaches which can be classified broadly into moving and non-moving violations. As the names suggest, the former category includes laws that are broken while on the move and the latter refers to laws violated while stationary. Moving violations, as you can imagine, pertain to speeding and reckless driving that may or may not have resulted in damage to other persons or property. They could also include the breaking of traffic lights. Non-moving violations include such breaches as seat-belt and child-seat restraint violations, the use of defective vehicular equipment, parking violations etc. Of course, some of the above mentioned misdemeanors might also be observed by individuals while in motion. Additional violations include the lack of a driving license and absence of proof of insurance and registration.

Despite the images portrayed on TV and in movies, reckless driving and other traffic violations aren’t taken lightly in the U.S. They are known to be strictly enforced by the concerned authorities in charge of traffic rules and regulations. These include state troopers on, highways that make use of cars, motorcycles and aircrafts to keep an eye out for offenders and local police officers and municipal police.

Those engaged in speeding might soon find a cop car on their tails, flashing its overhead lights while the siren wails. Pulling up on the hard shoulder of the road is what’s expected. Drivers aren’t expected to get out of their cars until they’re approached and asked to do so. If alarmed by the sight of an unmarked car, citizens have the right to ask the officer to produce their credentials before complying with requests. When stopped, drivers are often asked to produce their license, registration document and insurance card. It’s only practical, therefore, to carry these documents at all times. While cops in some states might be lenient and let minor offenders (those who break traffic signals or have been speeding) go with a warning, others might hand you a ticket. When handed a ticket, an offender has the choice of either paying the fine or going to a traffic court. If he chooses the latter option, then he has a stipulated time period within which he can mail the court his plea (guilty or not guilty).