One of the most common reasons you may need the services of a solicitor is to contest a fine associated with breaking a traffic law. There are various ways that this can occur, including:

• Driving through a red light
• Speeding
• Operating an unregistered vehicle
• Not indicating
• Not wearing a seatbelt
• Using a mobile phone while operating a car

Indeed, if you are charged with one of these offences, you should definitely get in contact with traffic lawyers, as this will give you a much better chance of successfully contesting the charges. So, let’s go through some of the typical fines associated with this area of the law.

Speeding fines

Your vehicle can be detected for speeding via fixed or mobile speed camera or a police officer. If this occurs, a penalty notice is issued, which means you will incur some fines or demerit points. However, if you hold a learner license or a P1 provisional license, your license will be instantly suspended for a period of at least three months. Naturally, increased fines and demerit points are applicable to speeding offences in school zones and roadwork zones.

The most serious fines are applied when the individual is more than 45km/h over the relevant speed limit. A Class C license holder will be fined 6 demerit points and receive a speeding fine over $3000. Naturally, if you want any chance of perhaps lessening the severity of your punishment, you need to get in contact with traffic lawyers. In particular, some discretion can be shown if you have no history of speeding or illegal driving activity, which traffic lawyers can effectively leverage when defending your case.

Using a mobile phone

Likewise, using a mobile phone while driving is illegal for P1 and P2 drivers, even if that person is waiting stationary at an intersection, a set of lights or is caught in congestion. NSW is the strictest state when it comes to using a mobile phone behind the wheel, with fines up to $337. Mobile phone use can be hard to prove, however, so if you believe that you were not using your mobile phone in an illegal manner, you should definitely consider getting assistance from   traffic lawyers to help you contest the fine.

Driving through a red light

Driving through a red light can result in an instant $405 fine and three demerit points if you were issued with a penalty notice. Whilst there is obviously less avenue for you to contest a red-light charge because you likely have been caught by a red light camera, traffic lawyers can still assist with the case, particularly if there is some legal grey area regarding the event.

Not wearing a seatbelt

Seatbelt offences are not just applicable to the driver but all passengers within the car. If a passenger is not wearing a seatbelt, then it is the driver who will be charged. A fine of $337 can be charged to a driver not wearing a seatbelt, while this increases per additional passenger not wearing a seatbelt. For example, two unrestrained passengers equate to a fine of $673, while four or more passengers unrestrained will see the driver cop a whopping fine of $1422 and 6 demerit points!

As a result, it is crucial that you abide by the laws regulating NSW’s roads, given how expensive the punishments can be. Get in contact with   traffic lawyers if you believe that you have been unfairly charged or believe your fine/punishment should be downgraded.  traffic lawyers certainly aren’t cheap, but then again, neither is a massive fine or loss of license. The choice is yours.