Traffic Tickets

Wyoming has yet to institute a point system as a means to govern its traffic citation system. But that does not mean that the state is filled with wild cowboys driving out of control on unmonitored and chaotic highways.

Far from that, the highways can look relatively empty at times. There are roads in the stark southwest where you can drive for what feels like days and never see another soul except maybe a gaunt coyote crossing the asphalt. With so few drivers, the state of Wyoming is able to manage its citation system without a point system.

Infraction Types

There are two types of traffic ordinance violations in Wyoming:

• Status violations―These are nonmoving offenses that include parking and meter breaches. Court appearances are not required, tickets are generally payable by mail, and nothing is reported against your record. Most of these citations are issued at the municipal level.

• Moving violations―If a vehicle is in motion when the transgression occurs, it is deemed a moving violation. This includes speeding, running lights or stop signs, reckless driving, racing, and eluding an officer. The majority of moving violations are misdemeanors.

If you receive four moving violations in a 12-month span, you will have your license suspended. In some cases (such as reckless driving), you will lose your license for 90 days upon the first offense. These are also the infractions that cause your insurance rates to skyrocket.

Speeding Infractions

Most cities utilize their own municipal code when issuing fines for speeding. So from town to town, fines will vary. The state does cap a first-offense fine at $200. But unless you are really flying down a town's main street, you will not see a fine this high. A second offense is capped at $300, and ensuing offenses are capped at $500.

The system for imposing fines on the state and federal highways is a bit different:

• Interstate highways have a speed limit of 75 miles per hour (MPH). There is a $5 penalty per MPH over the speed limit from 76 to 80, with a maximum of $25. Once you exceed 80, the fine is determined by the officer.

• State highways have a speed limit of 65MPH. There is a $5 penalty per MPH over the speed limit from 66 to 70, with a maximum of $25. Once you exceed 70MPH, the fine is $25 ($5 each for 65 to 70) plus $3 for each additional MPH. So if you were doing 80MPH in the posted 65MPH area, your fine would be $55.

WYOMING SPEED LIMITS

• 75MPH on interstate highways
• 65MPH on state highways
• 30MPH in congested or urban areas
• 20MPH in a school zones

Infractions and Penalties

Speed Contest Infraction―If you are caught racing in the streets, it will cost you up to $100 for a first offense.

Reckless Driving―A first offense results in a 90-day suspension of your license and up to a $750 fine.

Insurance Infraction―A first offense of driving without proof of insurance can result in a fine of up to $750. Your license will go into indefinite suspension until you provide evidence of coverage.

DUI/DWUI―The Highway Patrol calls it DUI and the legislature calls it DWUI. Either way, it means getting behind the wheel when you have had too many drinks and your blood alcohol content (BAC) is 0.08% or above. A first offense carries a mandatory 90-day license suspension and up to a $750 fine.