A sizable percentage of drivers have been charged with a traffic violation at one time or another, whether due to speeding, a tail light being out, an expired license plate, or another offense. Some offenses are more serious than others, but they all can end up costing drivers money. So what happens if you get a ticket and you do not have the money to pay?

In 1983, the U.S. Supreme Court made it illegal for judges to send defendants to jail if they are unable to pay their court fines. However, it is still legal for them to send people to jail if they are unwilling to pay their fines. This is a distinction that, left in the hands of judges, ends up landing many lower income citizens behind bars, when in reality, they may not have the funds to cover their fines.

If you have had your driver’s license suspended, then you are undoubtedly counting the days until you can get it back. The inconvenience of living without a driver’s license can make every day more stressful. Tasks that were once simple, like driving to work or making a quick trip to the grocery store, are now an issue. You may have to take public transportation, if it is even available, or ask friends and family to drive you. No matter what your solution is for getting around, it can be not only an inconvenience but also embarrassing to have to ask for help and repeatedly explain the reason for your lost license. 

Suspended License in Illinois

There are many reasons a driver’s license may be suspended in Illinois, and drunk driving tops that list. Other reasons include being caught driving without insurance, not paying child support and numerous traffic violations. 

A society cannot thrive in safety without rules and regulations. When it comes to traffic laws, they exist for the sole purpose of keeping drivers, passengers, pedestrians, and all other people safe. The violation of traffic laws can lead to extremely dangerous situations, but when someone violates them while in a construction zone, it increases the potential danger.

According to the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT), there were 6,741 work zone crashes nationwide in 2016. During those accidents, 765 people were killed and 1,893 injured. Illinois has some of the most strict construction zone traffic laws in the country, so it is important you understand what to do and not do. Here are a few things you need to know about Illinois construction zone traffic tickets:

In Illinois, there are many ways you can lose your driving privileges. Not paying child support, not appearing in court when you are summoned, not paying traffic tickets or fines, and DUI are ways your driver’s license can be suspended or revoked. 

Another common way driver’s license suspensions or revocations take place is when you accumulate too many points on your driving record during a certain period of time. The ability to drive freely is something you do not know how much you would miss until it is gone. It is important to understand the Illinois points system so you can avoid license suspension or revocation.

Unlike many sports, you do not want to score points when you drive. Illinois, like many other states, has a point system for drivers. When a driver commits a traffic infraction, one or more points can be added to his or her driver’s license. As these points add up, so do the penalties the driver faces.

Common Traffic Offenses and Their Point Values

The more severe a traffic infraction, the more points a driver will accrue on his or her license. A few common traffic offenses and their point values include the following: