In North Carolina, an unsafe movement traffic violation occurs when a driver makes a maneuver on the road that endangers others or disrupts the normal flow of traffic. This broad category of traffic offenses can include a range of actions, such as improper lane changes, failing to signal or turning or merging into traffic without proper caution.
Understanding what constitutes an unsafe movement violation and its potential consequences is important for residents and visitors alike, as these offenses can lead to both legal and financial penalties.
Common examples
Unsafe movement violations concern various driving behaviors that pose a risk to other motorists, pedestrians, and/or cyclists. Some common examples of such infractions include:
- Improper Lane Changes: Changing lanes without signaling, cutting off another driver or weaving between lanes in a dangerous manner
- Failure to Signal: Not using turn signals when changing lanes, turning or merging can be considered unsafe movement, as it prevents other drivers from anticipating a motorist’s actions
- Unsafe Turns: Making a turn without checking for oncoming traffic or pedestrians or turning from the wrong lane
- Improper Merging: Entering a highway or merging into traffic without yielding to oncoming vehicles, causing their operators to brake or swerve.
- Backing Up Unsafely: Reversing in a way that endangers other travelers, such as backing out of a driveway or parking spot without looking
In North Carolina, being cited for an unsafe movement violation can result in several penalties. These may include fines, points on one’s driving record, and an increase in insurance premiums for an extended period of time.
If you have been cited for an unsafe movement violation, you have the right to challenge your ticket in court. Defenses may include arguing that your actions were necessary to avoid an accident or that the officer’s interpretation of the event was incorrect. You do not simply have to accept the penalties discussed above as a matter of course.