What Are Traffic Violations and Infractions In Arkansas?
In Arkansas, when individuals disregard traffic regulations, they are reported for violating traffic laws and regulations. These infractions can vary in severity, including minor to more serious offenses. Within the state’s legal framework, these matters fall under the domain of the District Courts, which handle both criminal and non-criminal traffic cases equitably.
In Arkansas, when individuals violate traffic laws, they experience outcomes that differ according to the severity of the offense. These consequences can include fines, potential jail time, surcharges, court fees, reinstatement fees for their licenses, as well as other penalties such as license invalidation, community service, increased insurance rates, and vehicle confiscation. These violations are treated as more serious offenses and are subject to more notable consequences.
Understanding Arkansas Traffic Laws:
In every state, there are some traffic laws that change from state to state. So it’s important to stay up-to-date about what’s going on in your current state. Whether you’re a long-time Arkansas resident, a newcomer resident, or planning a visit, there are some important guidelines to keep in mind while traveling.
Speed Limits and Highway Safety:
- Divided highways: The speed limit is 65 mph on divided highways that have separated lanes.
- Undivided highways: The speed limit is 60 mph on undivided highways that have no separated lanes.
- Business districts and residential areas: The speed limit is 30 mph in business districts and residential areas.
- School zones: The speed limit is reduced to 25 mph in school zones to ensure the safety of children.
Driving Under the Influence(DUI) or while Intoxicated:
- First-time offenders: They may face a maximum jail up to one year. If an offender is under 16 years old, a compulsory minimum of 7 days in jail is required. Initial offenders can also be fined between $150 and $1,000.
- Repeated offenses: Multiple violations may lead to longer time behind bars, from a week to many years, based on past offenses. Repeated offenders may face higher fines, potentially up to $5,000.
- Driving prohibition: A first offense can lead to a minimum 6-month driver’s license suspension. License suspension durations rise with repeated convictions.
- Ignition Interlock Device (IID):According to the situations, the court may require the installation of an IID in the offender’s vehicle at their own cost.
Seat Belt and Laws for child protection:
- Laws for child protection: All children under two years of age must ride in a backwards-oriented car seat unless they weigh 40 lbs or are at least 4’9″ tall.
- Seat belt laws: Seat belts are necessary for all passengers and drivers, sitting on the front-seats. Children under 15 years of age should be appropriately secured , regardless of their position in the vehicle.
Types of Traffic Violations in Arkansas:
Depending upon the situations and severity of the violations done, these are divided in different categories.
MOVING VIOLATIONS
It is categorized under the situation , when the violation of the traffic is done by the vehicle in the motion. There are different examples of the moving violations.
- Operating vehicle with an invalidated, temporarily revoked, or expired license.
- Inhibiting traffic flow.
- Unsafe following distance.
- Hit and run.
- Engaging in racing on the highway.
- Overtaking a stopped school bus.
- Careless driving.
- disobey traffic control devices.
- Improper lane change.
- running a stop sign or red light
- Not wearing the seat-belt.
NON-MOVING VIOLATIONS:
In Arkansas, non-moving violations refer to problems with your parked vehicle or paperwork issues, not just issues while driving.
- Unauthorized parking.
- Parking along the highway.
- Walking away from a running vehicle without setting brakes.
- Occupying two parking spaces.
- Prolonged loading or unloading activity.
- Skipping maintenance inspections.
- Absence of approval documentation.
- Ignoring snow clearance duty for handicap parking spots.
- Unauthorized stopping on a crosswalk.
- Unauthorized parking on footpath.
Arkansas Felony Traffic Violations:
When a traffic rule is broken in a severe way, it’s called a felony traffic violation. This means the offense is considered very serious according to the law, either by state rules or federal regulations.Criminal traffic offenses are usually moving violations that are not resolved by paying just fines. Instead, offenders who are found at fault may be punished with prison sentences.Arkansas has organized felony traffic offenses into five distinct classifications: Class A, B, C, D and Y felonies. If convicted of a felony traffic violation, the offender may be liable for fines and sentencing as detailed below.
| Felony Class | Imprisonment | Fines |
| Class A | 6 to 30 year | Up $15,000 |
| Class B | 5 to 20 years | Up to $1,000 |
| Class C | 3 to 10 years | Up to $10,000 |
| Class D | Not over six years | Up to $10,000 |
| Class Y | 10 to 40 years or lifetime |
Examples Of Felony Traffic Violations In Arkansas
Examples of Felony Traffic Violations include:
- Fatal accident caused by negligent driving.
- Vehicle-related involuntary manslaughter.
- Repeated minor lawbreaking
- Fatal collision.
- Serious hit-and-run offense.
- Repeated drunk driving offenses.
Arkansas Traffic Infractions:
Violations, which are considered non-criminal, are traffic infractions.These offenses are typically minor infractions and are not considered as significant as felonies or misdemeanors. Individuals who commit infractions are typically fined according to the severity of the offense, rather than being sentenced to prison.
Examples:
The following list contains examples of traffic infractions in Arkansas:
- Not keeping a safe distance
- Hazardous lane alterations
- Forbidden turnaround
- Bypassing traffic signals
- Improper parking
- Hitting stationary vehicles
- Careless driving at high speed
- Lack of focus while driving
- Putting passengers at risk
- Hazardous vehicle extensions
- Large trucks surpassing speed limits
- Failing to use turn signals
- Running through a red traffic signal
Arkansas Traffic Misdemeanors:
Misdemeanors are criminal offenses that are considered more severe than infractions but less severe than felonies.These are handled in District Courts and can also be appealed to Circuit Courts. These are classified into different numbers or letters according to the severity of the misdemeanor charges.
| Misdemeanor Class | Imprisonment | Fines |
| Class A | Up to 1 year | Up to $2,500 |
| Class B | Up to 90 days | Up to $1,000 |
| Class C | Up to 30 days | Up to $500 |
The Arkansas Administrative Point System:
Arkansas Driver Control holds the Administrative Point System,according to which each violation is assigned a specific number of points.The number of points someone gets depends upon how severely he committed the traffic violation. When a driver gets a specified number of points his driving license may be suspended. The number of points someone can get once in a traffic ticket ranges from 3 to 16.
- 3 Point Violations: Driving without proper lighting, driving with a banned license, ignoring traffic signals, ignoring yielding regulations, unsafe following distance, illegal overtaking; careless driving, and exceeding the speed limit by 10 mph.
- 8 Point Violations: Avoiding arrest while driving, overtaking a stopped school bus, racing, reckless operation of a commercial vehicle and exceeding the speed limit by more than 31 mph.
- 14-16 Point Violations: Refusing a blood alcohol test, Drunk driving with a commercial vehicle, and driving while intoxicated (DWI).
Penalties for Specific Points:
When a driver accumulates a specified number of points, he may get certain penalties related to points.
- 10 points – They are notified telling them to drive more carefully.
- 14 points – They are sent a warning of license suspension for 90 days. They will have to attend a hearing to discuss the suspension.
- 18 points – Possible six months license suspension.
- 24 points – their license may be suspended for a year.
Traffic Ticket Penalties and Fines:
In Arkansas, a traffic ticket typically results in a fine and demerit points being added to the driver’s record. Getting too many points within a certain time span can lead to license suspension. Following you’ll find the fines, points, and other outcomes for some of the most common traffic violations in Arkansas. However, the specific penalties for a traffic ticket can vary according to the situation and violation caused.
What are the Fines and Penalties for Arkansas Speeding Tickets?
The penalties for receiving speeding tickets depend on the driver’s previous record of violations and the extent to which they exceeded the speed limit.
Costs and Penalties for a 1st, 2nd, and 3rd times Speeding Ticket and Excessive Speeding:
First Speeding Ticket within a Year:
- Fine – Up to $100
- Jail – Up to 10 days
Second Speeding Ticket within a Year:
- Fine – Up to $200
- Jail – Up to 20 days
Third Speeding Ticket within a Year:
- Fine – Up to $500
- Jail – Up to 6 months
Speeding More than 15 mph Over the Limit :
- Fine – Up to $500
- Jail – Up to 30 days
Double Penalties for Violations in Construction Zones:
Generally, the penalties are doubled for speeding violations that occur within a construction and commercial zone.
What Are the Fines and Penalties for Stop Sign and Stop Light Tickets in Arkansas?
When you reach a stop sign or traffic light, you have to fully stop before reaching the closest line, crossing the walkway, or entering the junction.
Making a right turn on a red light is allowed unless there’s no sign telling you not to do it.
Costs and Penalties for a 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Stop Sign or Red Light Ticket in Arkansas:
First Stop Sign or Red Light Violation within a Year:
- Fine – Up to $100
- Jail – Up to 10 days
Second Stop Sign or Red Light Violation within a Year:
- Fine – Up to $200
- Jail – Up to 20 days
Third Stop Sign or Red Light Violation within a Year:
- Fine – Up to $500
- Jail – Up to 6 months
What Are the Fines and Penalties for Distracted Driving Tickets in Arkansas?
Distracted driving tickets result only in fines and these usually do not cause any jail or points in the driver record.
Arkansas’s Laws for Texting and Cell Phone Driving:
Prohibition from use of mobile phones and texting during driving depends upon the age of the driver.
Drivers at least 21 years old: Drivers who are at least 21 years old can make use of a handheld phone while driving but need to use hands-free technology when using a phone in a school zone or highway work zone.
Drivers 18 to 21 years old: Drivers aged 18 to 21 have the privilege to use a cell phone while driving, but they are required to use hands-free technology.
Driver under 18 years old. Drivers less than 18 years old generally can’t use a cell phone while driving.
Fines for a First and Second Texting or Cell Phone Ticket in Arkansas:
First time Violation:
- Fine – up to $250
Second and Subsequent Offenses:
- Fine – up to $500
What Are the Fines, Jail, and Points for Driving Without a License in Arkansas?
These penalties depend on the type of violations done. These violations fall in different categories.
Costs and Penalties for Driving Without a License in Arkansas
Absence of license:
- Fine – Up to $500
- Jail – Up to 90 days
Unlicensed Driving:
- Fine – Up to $500
- Jail – Up to 6 months
Driving on a Suspended License :
- Fine – Up to $500
- Jail – Up to 6 months
FAQ
How to Pay a Traffic Violation Ticket in Arkansas?
Traffic violation tickets in Arkansas can be paid by online method and also in-person or also by E-mail. Tickets can be paid through Arkansas e-Traffic program website or website of the court where the case was assigned.
How Long Do Traffic Violations Stay on Your Record in Arkansas?
Traffic violations stay on your record for 3 years or 36 months.
Can Traffic Violations Be Sealed in Arkansas?
Records that have been sealed or expunged in Arkansas typically involve criminal offenses.Therefore, Arkansas laws do not allow the courts to seal or expunge traffic infractions.
What Happens if You Miss a Court Date for a Traffic Violation in Arkansas?
Failure to attend court on your scheduled date results in the judge issuing a Failure to Appear Warrant, which may involve posting a cash bond. The bond amount varies based on the nature of the traffic offense or criminal allegation against you.
What happens if you don’t pay a ticket in Arkansas?
The Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration is tasked with maintaining driving records statewide. Failure to deal with a traffic violation ticket, whether by paying the indicated fine or disputing the ticket, may lead to an increased penalty, arrest, and the possibility of imprisonment.
How many points is a careless driving ticket in Arkansas?
There are 8 points for reckless driving in Arkansas.
How do I fight a ticket in Arkansas?
The sole method to contest a traffic citation in Arkansas is by petitioning for a contested hearing and entering a plea of not guilty in the local traffic court of the municipality.
