Why Should I Care About This Driver Record Baloney?
First of all, it’s spelled B-O-L-O-G-N-A. Second, if you have racked up too many negligent driver points, your license will either be suspended or revoked by the DSD. You can apply for a new license at the end of this period, and hopefully you’ve changed your ways by then. Oh, sure, it starts with a few minor traffic violations here and there, but before you know it you’ll be committing grand larceny, bank fraud, and/or treason. We just don’t want to start seeing your name in the paper. Unless it’s for inventing some useful electronic gadget, or winning a peace prize. That would be pretty cool.
Each time you have a mark on your record, it stays there for at least one year (or longer, if you did something really shady). Within a 12-month period, your license can be suspended for two months if you accumulate 15-44 points, three months if you accumulate 45-74 points, six months if you accumulate 75-89 points, nine months if you accumulate 90-99 points, or one year if you accumulate 100-109. If you accumulate 110 points or more in a 12-month period, you license will be revoked for a year. If you can put up 30 points in 42 minutes, you’ll probably make tonight’s highlight reel on ESPN.
Like a Vandal in the Wind
If you absolutely must destroy something, either break a pencil or beat up on your pillow. It’s far too costly to be caught doing anything worse, such as spray-painting graffiti onto the side of a bridge or keying your ex-boyfriend’s Mustang. If already licensed, you can lose your license for a couple years; if you’re not there yet, you can have the issuance of your license delayed for several years. And you’re going to need your license, because it sounds like you’ll have to be doing a lot of running from the authorities.
Here are a few examples of what can get you points on your driving record:
5-pointers
- Driving 1-10mph over the posted speed limit
- Driving below the minimum speed limit
10-pointers
- Squealing or screeching of tires
- Driving too fast for conditions
- Exceeding the maximum speed limit on a bridge or elevated structure
15-pointers
- Driving 11-14mph over the posted speed limit
20-pointers
- Driving 15-25mph over the posted speed limit
- Exceeding the maximum speed limit in a school zone
- Driving below the minimum speed limit on an Illinois tollway
- Not driving in the right-hand lane when proceeding at less than the normal speed of traffic
50-pointers
- Speeding more than 25mph over the posted speed limit
- Rear-ending someone important, like Scottie Pippen
55-pointers
- Reckless driving