2019 Traffic Law Update

1- Beginning January 1, 2019 children will have to ride in rear-facing car seats until they are 2 years old, weigh 40 pounds or are 40 inches tall.

Not following the new rules will result in a $75 fine for the first violation, and $200 for each one after that.

State law already required drivers to use a “child restraint system” for children younger than 8 years old, but it didn’t specify which way the car seat had to face. This new law provides clarification.

2- Beginning July 1, 2019, anyone caught texting and driving will be issued a moving violation, which will go on their driving record. Since 2014, a first texting and driving offense has been considered a non-moving violation and does not affect the person driving record. The $75 fine will still apply to a first offense.

3- Drivers charged with Driving on a Suspended License when the privilege to drive is revoked or suspended due to unpaid parking fines, automated camera enforcement or unpaid child support shall be guilty of a petty offense. Previously, this charge was a Class A misdemeanor, punishable with the possibility of jail. Drivers cannot be jailed for Petty Offenses.

It is always best to hire a traffic law lawyer and CDL lawyer to ensure that you are not convicted of a violation that can suspend or revoke your driving privileges.