Ever wondered how traffic laws vary from one state to another? Discover the surprising differences in traffic policies across the U.S. and how they impact your daily drive.
Traffic laws aren’t just about speeding tickets—they influence everything from road safety to insurance rates. This article dives into how various states enforce their traffic rules and what that means for drivers.
We evaluated states based on their enforcement of key traffic laws, safety statistics, and driver feedback. States with inconsistent or lax policies were excluded to focus on those with robust and effective regulations.
1. Alaska
Based on three factors, drunk driving, seatbelts, and speeding laws, Alaska has the most aggressive traffic enforcement policies in the entire country. The maximum speed limit in this state is 65, while a speeding ticket can cost anywhere between $250 and $2,000.
Alaska also imposes a license suspension of 90 days on your first DUI, along with a fee of $1,500 to a staggering $25,000.
2. Oregon
Oregon takes the second spot with a maximum speed limit of 70 and a speeding ticket fee of a massive $2,000. On your first DUI, your license is revoked for 90 days.
It also has some of the strictest laws pertaining to seat belt enforcement, where it is mandatory for all riders, irrespective of age, to wear a seatbelt at all times.
3. Tennessee
Following closely behind is the state of Tennessee, with a maximum speed limit of 70, and speeding penalties cost you around $50 till ending up in jail for 30 days. On your first DUI, your license gets revoked for an entire year, making this one of the most extended periods of suspension in the US, along with a fine of $350 to $1,500.
4. Virginia
Virginia takes the fourth spot with a maximum speed limit of 70. The speed limit fine here is calculated based on the number of miles per hour over the speed limit. On your first DUI, your license gets suspended for 30-180 days, with a fine ranging from $250 to $2,500.
5. Iowa
Iowa has some of the most aggressive traffic enforcement policies, with speeding fines ranging from $625 to 30 days in jail. A maximum speed limit of 70 is employed for drivers on the road, along with a 180-day license suspension on the first DUI. The DUI also has a fine of $625 to $1,200.
6. New York
Coming in sixth is New York, which has a speed limit of 65. Drivers zooming past this speed limit are given a ticket of $600 and/or have to spend 30 days in jail. DUI fees here range from anywhere between $500 to $1,000. Additionally, all riders above eight can wear adult seat belts.
7. Connecticut
Connecticut ranks seventh on the aggressive traffic laws list due to speeding penalties of $90 coupled with a speed limit of 65. On your first DUI, your license is revoked for a period of 90 days, and the general DUI fees here range from $500 to $1000. An ignition interlock device is mandatory in this state.
8. Ohio
With the eighth position, Ohio has a 90-day suspension period on your first DUI. With a speeding limit of 70 and penalties from $625 to 60 days in jail, the state imposes an aggressive traffic management policy. The DUI fees here range from $250 to $1000, and they also have adult seat belts for kids over seven years of age.
9. Alabama
With a maximum speed limit of 70, Alabama takes the ninth spot. This state has a 90-day suspension period for your first DUI, while you must also pay a massive fee of $500 for overspeeding. The maximum penalty for going over the speeding limit here is three months of jail time, depending on the degree of your offense.
10. Colorado
Colorado follows closely behind with a relatively more lenient maximum speed limit of 75. On your first DUI, your license here gets suspended for three months. A speeding fine will cost you 100 dollars in this state or/and ten days in jail. When it comes to DUI fees, there is a hefty cost of up to $1,000, which is slightly less than some of the other states mentioned in this list.
11. Illinois
With speeding penalties ranging from $1,500 and/or 30 days in jail, Illinois tied with Colorado. Your license will get suspended for six months here on your first DUI. Additionally, the state has a maximum speeding limit of 70.
What gives it the same spot as the previous state is its adult seatbelt restrictions that are allowed for children who are eight years old and over 40 lbs. While in the rear seat, you’re only bound by law if a lap belt is present.
12. Louisiana
Last on the list is the state of Louisiana, which has a maximum speed limit of 75. The speeding penalties here will get you a fine of $500 and/or 90 days in jail. However, there is no license suspension on your first DUI, giving it a lower rank. The DUI fines here range from anywhere between $300 to $1,000, while ages 9-12 years and over 60 lbs can wear adult seat belts.
Source: Finder.
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