• And for law-abiding driversvirginia spoof image by Allyson Ricketts from Fotolia.com
  
  Violating Virginia's traffic and driving laws incurs three-, four- and six-point demerits to an individual's driving records. Violations range from minor curbside offenses to felonies, which result in jail or heavy fines. When driving within the state, be aware of important laws so you can avoid paying the consequences of breaking them.
  
  

General Regulations

• Most people think of traffic regulations only in relation to automobiles, but Virginia includes any mobility device such as electric-powered bicycles, mopeds or any horse-driven vehicles that is on a road or highway. The only types of vehicles that are excluded from following Virginia's traffic laws (such as ignoring speed limits or stop signs) are emergency or law-enforcement vehicles---and these only during such times that the vehicle is being used for public service.
  
  

Point System

• Whenever you are caught violating a traffic law, points are subtracted from your driving record. Should you lose six points or more, you can be suspended from driving altogether. Any demerits remain on your record for two years from the violation date. Three-point offenses include speeding, incorrect signaling, driving without a license and reckless driving. Four-point offenses include failing to slow down at railroad crossings, aggressive driving and driving the wrong way on one-way streets. Six-point violations include manslaughter and offenses committed by habitual offenders.
  
  

DUI

• Virginia's legal blood alcohol concentration (BAC) level is less than .08 percent. If anyone is found driving with a BAC equal to or more than that, it results in an automatic suspension of their license for seven days. If convicted in trial, the license is revoked for at least a year. A second convicted offense results in jail for 10 to 20 days, and your license is revoked for three years. A third offense is considered a felony.
  
  

Safety

• Any motor vehicles registered within Virginia must have safety devices such as brakes, seat belts, lights, horns or other warning signals, safety glass windows, mirrors and mufflers. Failure to comply can result in the suspension of the vehicle's registration card and license plates. This measure is in place to ensure not only the safety of the driver and passengers of the vehicle, but also any other traffic that might encounter them.
  
  

Speeding

• It is illegal to exceed the speed limit posted on highways, city and suburban streets throughout Virginia. Where applicable, it is also illegal to drive a vehicle incapable of meeting a posted minimum speed limit. Virginia interstate highways have a general maximum speed limit of 65 miles per hour. Interstate Route 85 has sections (noted by erected signs) where the speed limit is increased to 70 miles per hour. Failure to comply with these limits can result in added violations and points removed from the driver's record.