How Much Is a Stop Sign Ticket in Florida?
Be honest. Do you always come to a complete stop when at a stop sign?
We all make mistakes on the road. Maybe you were in a rush and made a rolling stop because you didn’t think anyone else was there, or you completely blew past a stop sign you didn’t see.
Yet, if you fail to stop at a stop sign or red light and law enforcement catches you, you’ll receive a traffic citation. Although this does not always have the most severe consequences, there are penalties for failing to stop at a stop sign.
What Constitutes Running a Stop Sign?
Florida traffic laws declare that any motor vehicle approaching a stop sign must come to a complete stop at the limit line (the marked line on the ground) before the stop sign. If there isn’t a limit line, the driver should stop at the intersection’s entrance or before the crosswalk marking.
According to Florida Statute 316.123, violating this law is a noncriminal traffic violation. It’s punishable as a moving violation.
If you think receiving a running stop sign ticket is not a big deal, think again. It could lead to significant consequences if it happens repeatedly or when combined with a more severe violation like a DUI or reckless driving.
Florida Penalties for a Stop Sign Violation
So, you accidentally ran a stop sign. It happens to the best of us. But now you want to know, “How much is running a stop sign ticket in Florida?” Let us break down the penalties.
Stop Sign Ticket Fees
Florida Statute 316.123 for vehicles entering a stop or yield sign states that a “violation of this section is a noncriminal traffic infraction, punishable as a moving violation as provided in chapter 318.” While Chapter 318 can be a little complex to sort out, generally, the stop sign ticket cost in Florida ranges from 50 to 200 dollars. Note that stop sign laws state the price will be higher if you fail to stop at a stop sign in a construction or school zone.
After receiving the ticket, you have 30 days to submit your payment. You can easily pay the ticket online. But if you do so, you’re admitting guilt and will receive points on your record (see below).
Further, you may receive a more costly citation if the police officer issues you a violation of the right-of-way ticket or failure to wear a seatbelt ticket simultaneously.
Points on Your Driving Record
You must remember that the state of Florida uses the point system. Therefore, the stop sign infraction will also add three points to your driving record.
If you receive 12 points within one year, you’ll face a license suspension of 30 days. You’ll face a three-month suspension if you receive 18 points in 18 months. Finally, receiving 24 points in 36 months results in a one-year suspension.
You can read more about the point system and suspended licenses in Florida Statute 322.27.
Additionally, anytime you receive points on your record, there’s a likelihood that your insurance premiums will go up. If this happens and you cannot afford your new insurance rates, Florida will suspend your driver’s license. This is because Florida law requires all drivers to have liability insurance.
Some drivers qualify to attend driver improvement school after receiving a moving violation. Typically, if you attend traffic school, the state won’t add any points to your record. However, you’ll still need to pay the fine.
Defenses for Running a Stop Sign
Often, when you receive a Florida traffic ticket, it’s your word against the police officer’s word.
Thus, if you believe the officer wrongly issued you a citation, contact a traffic ticket attorney like Florida Ticket Firm for assistance. We know how best to fight your case, and there are several defenses your lawyer may use.
Disclaimer: While these are common defenses, this article intends to be educational and not legal advice. Even if an argument here is valid for your case, it’s best to speak with an experienced lawyer rather than defend yourself.
Common defenses include:
- It was difficult to see the limit line
- The stop sign was new or hidden
- You stopped further from the limit line or intersection
Although it’s the driver’s responsibility to stop at a stop sign regardless of the conditions, the court may offer some leeway in these instances.
For example, if the white limit line faded and the driver stopped too far forward (or back), they still obeyed the law even though they didn’t stop at the correct location. Especially if the driver stopped too far behind the line, the officer may not see that the driver stopped and think they ran the stop sign.
Or if the driver frequents a particular road and the town puts a new stop sign on that road, they may blow through it without even realizing it. In this case, the driver could try to get the charge dismissed by proving the stop sign was recently installed and that they are a frequent driver on that road.
Conversely, hidden stop signs are not the fault of the driver. The city is responsible for ensuring all stop signs are in clear sight. So if a driver didn’t stop because the sign wasn’t clear or hidden, there is no fault to them.
What Are Winning Results?
The best outcome for your case depends wholly on its specific circumstances. For instance, if the traffic citation was illegitimate, you could fight to dismiss the ticket in court with the help of a traffic ticket lawyer, as discussed.
However, this is not possible for everyone. Sometimes the best strategy is to reduce the charges or penalties. This can help you save money, but more importantly, it can protect your record from receiving points, thus protecting your driving privileges.
Let the Florida Ticket Firm Fight for Your Driving Record
If you’re not careful, stop sign citations can stack up and cause a massive headache. So if you receive an unwarranted ticket, speak up.
Are you a Florida driver who wants to fight a traffic ticket? Then get started with a free consultation from our law firm, Florida Ticket Firm. We have ample experience fighting all types of moving violations. In fact, we’ve contested more than a million tickets! Get in touch with us today to discuss your case.