Traffic violations

[Crusader King 1]

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I got pulled over for failure to move lanes for an emergency vehicle. I actually didn't see the cop car pulled over on the road but I beleive him.

Will this affect my medical school application?🙁

 

[mehc012]

Traffic violations aren't criminal offenses, so...no.

 

[Bangersandmash]

Unless you fail to pay your ticket and are caught again driving with your now suspended license, a traffic citation isn't a misdemeanor or felony. Just pay it and don't worry about it.

 

[Crusader King 1]

Unless you fail to pay your ticket and are caught again driving with your now suspended license, a traffic citation isn't a misdemeanor or felony. Just pay it and don't worry about it.

My license isn't suspended. I just got a ticket. Thanks guys.

 

[Beandog]

I got pulled over for failure to move lanes for an emergency vehicle. I actually didn't see the cop car pulled over on the road but I beleive him.

Will this affect my medical school application?🙁

Yes, it will. You will never be a doctor.

Actually, any doctors that get traffic violations get their licenses revoked.



Jk. It is not going to hurt you. It would help to put your "i" before "e", except after "c" though.

 

[Crusader King 1]

Yes, it will. You will never be a doctor.

Actually, any doctors that get traffic violations get their licenses revoked.



Jk. It is not going to hurt you. It would help to put your "i" before "e", except after "c" though.

Yes, spelling the word "beleive" is why I've been a chemistry major for a few years and only took English technical writing junior year.

 

[Crusader King 1]

Well, the officer would have told me if my license was suspended right? I'm fairly certain I just got a ticket.

 

[mehc012]

License suspension is a BIG DEAL for BIG DEAL offenses. You got a traffic ticket. Congratulations, join a shockingly high percentage of drivers.

 

[Crusader King 1]

License suspension is a BIG DEAL for BIG DEAL offenses. You got a traffic ticket. Congratulations, join a shockingly high percentage of drivers.

I feel a bit better now. Thanks. The problem is if I get two now, I'm in a ton of trouble. I drive three hours every day, six days a week.

 

[theseeker4]

I feel a bit better now. Thanks. The problem is if I get two now, I'm in a ton of trouble. I drive three hours every day, six days a week.

If you are really worried about that, and have no prior offenses (I assume since you are asking whether this will hurt your med school chances) consider going to court instead of simply paying the ticket. Often, at least here, the court will let you pay more than the standard fine to let you off with a "warning" so you won't have points on your license. Something to think about if you would rather have no points than the extra money.

 

[Claudin]

I'm actually in the same situation as you. I got pulled over for having my high beams on at night ... Going to trial instead of paying the ticket. I'm hoping that the cop won't show, because there's no way I will win lol

 

[Praefectus]

If you are really worried about that, and have no prior offenses (I assume since you are asking whether this will hurt your med school chances) consider going to court instead of simply paying the ticket. Often, at least here, the court will let you pay more than the standard fine to let you off with a "warning" so you won't have points on your license. Something to think about if you would rather have no points than the extra money.

If you're lucky, your officer won't show up to the court date and your ticket will get dismissed. It's a better chance than simply paying the ticket.

 

[Good Good Eat]

If you're lucky, your officer won't show up to the court date and your ticket will get dismissed. It's a better chance than simply paying the ticket.

This isn't a line I'd put too much faith in, since I've heard that some police departments are starting to pay their officers overtime to go to court over traffic violations. If the officer shows up and you're caught with your pants down, you're likely going to lose the case. If you choose to go to court, make sure you research your available legal options. There are a lot of forums online detailing courses of action if you choose to fight your ticket in court.

 

[BABSstudent]

I'm actually in the same situation as you. I got pulled over for having my high beams on at night ... Going to trial instead of paying the ticket. I'm hoping that the cop won't show, because there's no way I will win lol

If you really want to argue it, then you could say something along the lines of this:

Tell them you noticed that your lowbeams are aimed a little higher and used a screwdriver to lower your headlight beam to the acceptable level. The angle is all set by how tight or loose a screw is. Your high beams were actually not on and you never noticed it until the cop informed you.

At least you would be able to show that you didn't know it was a problem and you fixed it.

Or just go to court and say oops and hope the judge throws it out. Accidents happen.

 

[TheMightySmiter]

As a former ambulance driver, this is a pet peeve of mine. But it won't affect your application.

 

[mehc012]

In some places, like NY State, the 'court date' isn't a date when you contest the claim. It's a day when you go before a judge and are given 3 options: pay the ticket, contest and go to trial (which the cop will show up at, and which you will almost certainly lose), or 'plea bargain' it down to a non-moving violation (which doesn't have to be reported to your insurance/the DMV).

Either way, it takes more than a couple of speeding tickets to mess up your license. No one outside of your insurance and driving-heavy jobs cares about these. The biggest impact of a moving violation is that it drives up your insurance rates.

 

[Planes2Doc]

In states like Texas, the most minor speeding ticket is considered a Class C misdemeanor. So make sure you don't live in a state where traffic citations are considered misdemeanors! Even if it were, I doubt any school would care anyhow. But they would definitely care if you lied about having a misdemeanor!

 

[Omppu27]

As a former ambulance driver, this is a pet peeve of mine. But it won't affect your application.

+1 So freakin' annoying.

And don't worry. If it makes you feel better, i have gotten pulled over 4 times and gotten in a car accident that was 100% my fault. The accident and one of the tickets happened in a span of a month. You'll be fine.

 

[Omppu27]

In states like Texas, the most minor speeding ticket is considered a Class C misdemeanor. So make sure you don't live in a state where traffic citations are considered misdemeanors! Even if it were, I doubt any school would care anyhow. But they would definitely care if you lied about having a misdemeanor!

Well, one more reason why i will never live in texas...

 

[fabriciusj89]

Well, one more reason why i will never live in texas...

I read somewhere that this is the case in Nevada too- so I would double check with your individual state before checking no on your AMCAS!!