What constitutes a major traffic violation under Florida law?

Driving under the influence (DUI) is considered a major traffic violation in Florida due to the serious risks it poses to public safety. It involves operating a vehicle with a blood alcohol concentration above the legal limit or being impaired by drugs or alcohol. This violation can lead to severe penalties, including fines, license suspension, and even imprisonment, reflecting its classification as a major offense.

The rationale behind this classification is rooted in the significant dangers that impaired driving poses—not only to the driver but also to other road users. DUI can lead to accidents that have devastating consequences, which is why Florida law takes a stringent stance against it.

In contrast, while failing to stop at a red light, driving without a license, and exceeding the speed limit are all violations that can result in penalties, they do not escalate to the same level of public threat as driving under the influence does. Each of those infractions may be serious and can accumulate points on a driver's license, but they do not carry the same weight in terms of the immediate risk to human life that DUI entails.