Traffic Law Frequently Asked Questions

Your 21st birthday was an absolute riot. Your buddies met you on Granby and took you on an epic pub crawl. First you stopped at the Vineyards Norfolk where your pals bought you a few shots, then you had a few pints at Mo and O’Malley’s, and finally wound up at the Norfolk Tap Room. The Tap Room, however, is where the evening took its downturn.

Around 1:45 a.m., right before last call, your best friend informed you that he had to take your keys away from you, and that he would be driving you home. You looked at him with a mix of confusion and defiance when you told him you’d be driving yourself. He tried to laugh off your remark, and told you that he promised your mom that he’d be the designated driver.

As soon as he mentioned your mom, you flew off the handle, and shouted to him (and the entire bar), that you were an adult, and could make your own “deslesions.” Besides, you’re the best judge of whether or not you’re too drunk to drive, right?

Wrong!

Signs That You Need a DD

No matter how much you may think you are sober enough to drive, if someone suggests that you should call a cab or have a DD (designated driver), take his word for it. It’s hard to notice signs that you’re becoming too impaired to drive, especially when you’ve been drinking. Therefore, when someone else notices that you shouldn’t be behind a wheel, let his opinion decide for you.

If you’re otherwise not sure if you should be driving, but are experiencing the following symptoms, it’s best for everyone for you to call a DD:

• Slurring speech
• Walking erratically
• Falling down
• Running into stationary objects or people
• Blurred vision
• Numbness in arms, legs and fingers
• Forgetfulness
• Blackouts
• Fatigue

 

All of the above symptoms can be dangerous when your traveling on your own to feet, let alone in a metal box moving at 70 mph.

Don’t allow a stupid decision to ruin the rest of your life and the lives of others. Don’t drink and drive…period! This is why it is always a good idea to have a designated driver or cab fare whenever you go out drinking. Time is the only thing that can reverse the effects of alcohol. Don’t get behind the wheel unless you’ve given your body enough time to flush out the amount of alcohol you’ve consumed—it’s safer for everyone and smarter for you.

Already been injured by a drunk driver and need advice about your car accident claim? Contact us today for a consultation and more information about how our experience can help you and your family.

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Related Links: Results of the First Three DUI Offenses Searching for a DUI Attorney? Consider These Factors How to Recognize a Drunk Driver Before it’s Too Late

 

The day you’ve been dreading for nearly 17 years has finally arrived: your daughter just received her driver’s license and wants to take the car out on her own.

You know that she is completely capable and you’ve taken her to practice on every street within a 10 mile radius, including 190, Kempsville and Great Bridge. You know she‘s familiar with the roads, but you’re still not quite sure about letting her go by herself. Finally you concede and give her the keys. You begrudgingly wave her goodbye as she pulls out of the driveway and with much trepidation, you go back into the house to anxiously await her return.

After about ten minutes, your phone rings. You almost drop it when you see it’s her, fearing the worst. “Honey...what’s wrong?”

“Hi, Daddy. I think I may be lost. I’m on Old Oak Grove but I need to be on Green Tree. Should I just go straight to the roundabout, or turn on Green Tree Circle?”

You pause a moment to think before replying. Which way is safer? Should you tell her to take the roundabout or take her a little out of her way to take the normal intersection?

The Safety Features of Roundabouts Compared to Conventional Intersections

Although regular intersections may appear to be more straightforward, with clear-cut rules, a lot of intersection accidents occur as a result of head-on collisions and abrupt stops from stop-and-go traffic. Roundabouts are designed to address these issues by:

• Limiting stop-and-go traffic
• Eliminating fear of other motorists running a light
• Decreasing turning guidelines such as “No turn on red” or confusion over which vehicle has priority in making a turn
• Increasing traffic awareness, since you must pay attention to the entire circle in order to merge into it
• Preventing crossover traffic (motorists turning in front of you)
• Eliminating head-on collisions by moving all traffic in the same direction

 

As long as you’re comfortable with roundabout procedures and are aware of the proper use of the lanes, roundabouts are much more efficient and less dangerous than normal intersections. However, although inherently safer, if you’re not familiar with roundabouts, or guide signs aren’t clearly marked, navigating a roundabout could not only be difficult, but could cost you a police citation. Make sure you’re aware of the rules and avoid common errors to prevent a ticket.

Have questions about roundabout safety, or believe that you received a roundabout citation in error? Contact us today to learn more about reckless driving laws, safe driving techniques, and your rights as a motorist. We’re here to help you, so don’t hesitate to fill out the contact information on this page.

Related Links: Thinking of Fighting a Virginia Reckless Driving Ticket Alone? Navigating Roundabouts to Avoid Endless Loops of Frustration Common Roundabout Errors That Can Lead to A Citation

Being involved in an auto accident of any kind is a scary and stressful event. Unfortunately, traffic accidents are a part of driving on the roads today. You’re aware of this already, because it’s not uncommon to see damaged vehicles and an emergency crew on the side of the road as you drive along I-64 or travel from Suffolk to Virginia Beach. Making matters worse is the fact that many of these accidents often end in serious injury.

Being accused of a hit-and-run crash will add to this already stressful situation of dealing with an auto accident and the injuries that follow. Some hit-and-run drivers don’t care about the accident and the injured parties involved. Other hit-and-run drivers are either wrongfully accused or had a good reason for leaving the scene.

Being charged with a hit-and-run is a serious offense and should not be taken lightly. Those who are charged with a hit-and-run face the following legal penalties:

• Class 4 misdemeanor. You will be charged with a Class 4 misdemeanor if the vehicle or property damage is less than $250 and the vehicle was unattended. This will also apply if the passenger does not report an accident. A Class 4 misdemeanor is punishable by only a fine.
   
• Class 1 misdemeanor. If the hit-and-run accident had less than $1,000 of property damage and the vehicle was occupied, or if the vehicle was unoccupied and damage was between $250 and $1,000 than the driver can be charged with a Class 1 misdemeanor. This is punishable by up to one year in jail.
   
• Class 5 felony. If the vehicle was occupied and an injury, death, or more than $1,000 in damages resulted, then a Class 5 felony may be charged. This is punishable by up to ten years in prison.

 

As you can see, the consequences of a hit-and-run accident can be severe. If you have been charged with a hit-and-run it is important to seek legal guidance. Fill out the contact form on this page to learn more about how we can help your situation.

Related Links: Fighting a Reckless Driving Ticket Three Reasons You May Have Left the Scene of an Accident Three Things You Can Do to Prevent a Hit-and-Run Charge

You leave a party or get-together—as you have on many other occasions—only to find yourself slammed into the back of another vehicle. Or perhaps you wake up and head to work after a long night and before you know it you are in an accident while crossing through an intersection.

Next thing you know you are behind bars being accused of a drunken-driving or drugged driving  accident.

These scenarios are common and can leave the driver being accused of driving under the influence (DUI) facing serious consequences. Because these consequences will be so severe, it is important to have an experienced DUI attorney on his side.

Some of the consequences an individual may face after being accused of a DUI accident in Virginia are:

• Prison time. A person who was involved in an accident and being accused of a DUI can spend time behind bars. The time behind bars depends on how serious the accident was and if they have had any other DUI offenses.
• Financial loss. The driver can expect a lawsuit from any person who has been injured in the accident. There will also be fines and penalties imposed by any court rulings.
• Loss of license. Depending on the severity of the accident and prior offenses, the driver can expect some sort of suspension of his license. This can be anywhere from one year to indefinitely.

 

If you have been involved in an accident involving a DUI accusation, it is important to contact us today. To learn how we can help your case simply fill out the contact form found on this page.

Related Links: Three Things You Need From Your Virginia DUI Attorney Understanding the Loss of a Driver’s License in Virginia Penalties for Repeated Virginia DUI Convictions