When people consider traffic violations, they usually assume that these violations are speeding tickets or red light tickets.
Those are the most common tickets issued in Florida, but there are many types of traffic tickets. For example, police officers in Florida can cite motorists for failure to maintain lane or for improper lane changes.
According to recent data from the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FHSMV), Orange County issued 4,606 lane violation tickets in 2018. Our Orlando improper lane change attorneys provide an in-depth answer to the question: How much does a failure to maintain lane ticket cost in Florida?
Know the Law: Florida Drivers Must Maintain a Lane
Under Florida law (Florida Statutes § 316.089), all drivers operating on a public roadway with marked lanes must “as nearly as practicable” stay within a single lane. Beyond that, drivers should not move out of the lane without confirming that such a movement is safe. Drivers that violate this Florida law can receive a citation for a failure to maintain lane offense.
Penalties for Failure to Maintain Lane in Florida
In Florida, the penalties for failing to maintain your lane vary based on several factors. As a starting point, an inability to maintain lane ticket is likely to cost between $65 and $300. If a crash happened or you received a citation for a simultaneous traffic violation, the fine could be even higher. Additionally, a failure to maintain a lane ticket may lead to increased auto insurance premiums.
Noted in Florida’s Uniform Traffic Citation Manual, the failure to use a designated lane and the inability to drive within a single lane are three-point offenses. If you receive a failure to maintain a lane ticket in Florida, it is possible to gain three points against your license when paid.
Do not pay a ticket without first consulting with an attorney, especially if you believe that the citation is illegitimate or if you already have points on your license. A suspension of your license will happen if you accumulate too many points within a 12, 24, or 36 month period. A failure to maintain lane violation can push some drivers past the points limit.
Get Help With Your Failure to Maintain Ticket Today
At Skubiak & Rivas, P.A., our top-rated Florida traffic defense lawyers have exceptional experience handling failure to maintain lane and improper lane change tickets. If you or your loved one was cited for a lane-related traffic violation, we are ready to offer help. For a free, no-obligation traffic defense consultation, please contact our legal team today. At our Orlando office, we represent drivers in Central Florida, including in Orange, Lake, and Seminole Counties.
