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 SOS. 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 two years. If you accumulate too many points during that time, you can be fined or your license can be suspended. Conversely, 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:
2-pointers
- Speeding 10mph or less over the legal speed limit
- Driving with an open container of alcohol in your vehicle
- Most minor moving violations
3-pointers
- Speeding 11-15mph over the legal speed limit
- Careless driving
- Disobeying a traffic signal or stop sign
- Improper passing
- Failure to stop at a railroad crossing
- Disobeying a school crossing guard or failure to stop for a school bus
- Any shot made from beyond the 3-point arc
4-pointers
- Driving 16mph or more over the legal speed limit
- Drag racing
- Impaired driving
- Failure to yield/show due caution to emergency vehicles
- Any moving violation resulting in an at-fault collision
- Rear-ending someone important, like Matt Stafford
6-pointers
- Manslaughter, negligent homicide, or any other felony involving use of a motor vehicle
- Operating while intoxicated or operating with any presence of a Schedule 1 drug or cocaine
- Hit and run
- Reckless driving
- Refusing to take a chemical test
- Fleeing or eluding a police officer
- Moving violation causing injury or death