Open 24/7 412-765-3345
Open 24/7 412-765-3345
Traffic citations aren’t a straightforward success for law enforcement. Even one minor traffic infraction could affect your driving record, insurance rates, and, at times, your license for a while. If you are looking for a Pittsburgh traffic ticket lawyer to discuss your options in Pittsburgh, it is important to know your rights after a traffic stop and understand how the applicable law works.
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SMT Legal is part of the Pittsburgh legal community and, with combined experience handling thousands of state court cases, including traffic ticket cases, we strive to work with our clients to evaluate each case, understand the facts, and present the options based on Pennsylvania law.
Christopher Thomas is a founding attorney with SMT Legal. He and his team work with people and families in the Pittsburgh area and throughout western Pennsylvania on complex personal injury cases. This work includes catastrophic injury and wrongful death cases, as well as other claims that result from grave instances of negligence.
Christopher Thomas has been named a Super Lawyers honoree and has leadership positions with the Allegheny County Bar Association, showing his connection to the state’s legal community.
Traffic violations can be as minor as failing to signal a lane change or as serious as reckless driving. Traffic citations can also range from licensing, registration, or equipment issues to moving violations. Law enforcement can issue a traffic ticket for many types of violations, including:
Traffic enforcement is a daily occurrence in Pittsburgh, especially on heavily congested roadways like Interstate 376 (Parkway East and Parkway West), Interstate 279, Route 28, Route 51, U.S. 19, as well as near the Fort Pitt Bridge, Liberty Tunnel, and the Downtown business district. Construction areas, school zones, and locations with heavy pedestrian traffic also may have increased enforcement.
Although many traffic citations have relatively low penalties, others have the potential to impact commercial drivers’ licenses (CDLs), job opportunities, and insurance costs. It is important to understand what you are accused of before choosing how to respond.
The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation reports that there were 109,541 reportable crashes in Pennsylvania during 2025, causing 1,047 deaths and 64,988 injuries. This translates to roughly 300 crashes and 178 injuries being reported across Pennsylvania every single day. Therefore, you can expect diligent enforcement of traffic laws throughout Pennsylvania.
Pennsylvania’s traffic laws are generally set forth in Title 75 of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, more commonly known as the Pennsylvania Vehicle Code. Within Pennsylvania’s traffic regulations, the Vehicle Code dictates rules for operating a vehicle, licensing necessities, traffic signals, speed limits, and the consequences of any infractions.
One important law is 75 Pa. C.S. § 3362, which sets forth Pennsylvania’s speed limits and the general rules for determining when a driver is speeding. The posted speed limit, in most circumstances, varies depending on the type of road and posted signs. Fines for speeding can be enhanced if the violation occurs in an active work zone or school zone.
Pennsylvania law also includes provisions related to careless driving. Drivers are prohibited from driving a vehicle in a careless manner that could endanger another person or their property. Although there are differences in some circumstances, careless driving is less serious than reckless driving because it does not require a finding of intentional misconduct.
Traffic tickets often carry points as part of Pennsylvania’s Driver’s License Point System. Drivers who accumulate too many points within a given timeframe may be required to complete additional examinations, hearings, or license suspensions, depending on their previous driving history.
Drivers who receive traffic citations sometimes assume that paying the fine ends the case. However, pleading guilty to the charge by paying the ticket may have long-term consequences, including points on a driving record.
Points on a driver’s record may lead to increased scrutiny through Pennsylvania’s Driver Improvement Program. Insurance companies also consider driving records when calculating insurance premiums. A moving violation may result in higher insurance rates, particularly if multiple citations are issued in a short period.
Suspensions and mandatory hearings may be imposed for some traffic offenses. Drivers with CDLs may also be affected by moving violations because federal and state commercial driving laws impose additional standards on commercial drivers.
Traffic tickets and violations may also have employment-related consequences. Drivers whose employment requires driving, operating commercial vehicles, or meeting specific driving record criteria may face disciplinary measures or fewer job opportunities.
Getting pulled over can be a frustrating and unpleasant experience, but several steps after the stop can help preserve legal rights and prevent further consequences. If you’ve been issued a traffic citation, consider the following:
Acting soon after receiving a citation can help preserve evidence, meet court deadlines, and prevent additional legal and financial consequences.
For those worried about the enduring repercussions of a traffic citation, we recommend that you hire a traffic ticket lawyer right away. A conviction affects more than just your driving record. It can have a significant impact on your life and employment.
A Pittsburgh traffic ticket attorney at SMT Legal can make sure that evidence is properly reviewed and understood and that you are informed about potential consequences before deciding how to resolve a citation.
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A traffic ticket may prevent you from renting a car, but it is not guaranteed. Rental car companies are more likely to check the status of a driver’s license than to obtain a copy of specific traffic citations. In many cases, multiple moving violations or a suspended license may disqualify a driver from renting a vehicle. Additional rental restrictions may be imposed on drivers with recent serious moving violations or a poor driving record.
Unless the citation is dismissed or otherwise voided, the person driving at the time of the traffic stop is typically responsible for taking care of the ticket. Rental car companies often charge an administrative fee in addition to the base cost of the citation if the rental agency is sent a notice of violation. Ignoring the citation can lead to additional collection fees and other penalties beyond the end of the rental period.
In many cases, you can request a continuance. The Pennsylvania courts generally could grant a continuance for traffic citations when the driver presents a valid reason for missing a hearing. Examples of valid reasons may include medical emergencies, previously scheduled and confirmed travel plans, or some other unavoidable commitment. Continuance requests are typically required to be filed in accordance with court rules as soon as possible.
Pennsylvania law does not require an officer to show radar or other speed detection readings to a driver during a traffic stop. Evidence of any type that is used to support the citation is generally going to be considered later if the driver requests to contest the ticket in court.
A warning is unlikely to end up on your driving record. In most cases, a verbal or written warning does not constitute a conviction or points on your official driving record. There is a possibility that law enforcement may keep internal notes or documentation of previous warnings, but these generally do not impact a driver’s license.
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If you have been issued a traffic violation, SMT Legal can help you advocate for your rights and future. To schedule a consultation regarding your traffic citation, contact SMT Legal today or call Attorney Christopher Thomas directly at 412-448-6887.
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