About the Author: Jim Trakas
Recent Posts by Jim Trakas
Check the Backseat! Preventing Summer Car Safety Hazards
Summer in Ohio brings road trips, beach days, and family outings, but it also ramps up car safety risks. From scorching interiors to distracted driving, summer car safety hazards can turn a fun drive into a tragedy. Forgetting a child or pet in a hot car, or missing a [...]
Ohio Driving Felonies: Serious Offenses and Legal Consequences
Driving in Ohio comes with responsibilities, and certain actions behind the wheel can escalate from minor infractions to Ohio driving felonies, carrying severe penalties like jail time, hefty fines, and long-term license loss. These serious offenses, ranging from repeat OVIs to vehicular manslaughter, can upend your life, job, and [...]
Can You Drive With Fireworks in Ohio? What the Law Says
Fireworks in Ohio spark excitement, especially around holidays like July 4th or New Year’s Eve. Whether you’re planning a backyard display or just transporting sparklers, driving with fireworks raises questions about legality and safety. Ohio’s laws, updated in 2022, allow consumer fireworks but come with strict rules that impact [...]
Vehicular Homicide vs. Vehicular Manslaughter: Key Differences
Driving in Ohio carries a heavy responsibility—one mistake can lead to devastating consequences like vehicular homicide or vehicular manslaughter. These terms often appear in news reports after tragic accidents, but their legal distinctions are critical for drivers to understand. At Online Two Point Driving Classes, we’re breaking down [...]
How to Handle an Aggressive Driver Without Escalating
Encountering an aggressive driver on Ohio’s roads—someone tailgating, honking, or weaving through traffic—can be unnerving. These situations test your patience and safety, especially on busy highways like I-71 or in urban Columbus. Reacting poorly risks escalation, accidents, or even tickets. At Online Two Point Driving Classes, we’re sharing [...]
Should You Get Travel Insurance for Your Next Road Trip?
Planning a road trip brings visions of open highways, scenic stops, and adventure. Whether cruising Ohio’s I-71 or crossing state lines, the thrill of the journey is unmatched. But unexpected events—car breakdowns, accidents, or traffic tickets—can turn your dream road trip into a costly hassle. Should you get [...]
Interstate Travel: Driving Laws That Differ Between States
Interstate travel opens up a world of exploration, but crossing state lines means adapting to different driving laws. A legal move in Ohio might earn you a ticket in Indiana or Michigan. At Online Two Point Driving Classes, we highlight key differences to keep you safe—and show how [...]
Essential Tips for a Safe Road Trip
Planning a road trip is thrilling—open roads, new sights, and freedom. But without preparation, it can quickly become stressful or even dangerous. Ohio drivers face unique challenges like busy interstates and state-to-state law changes. Here’s how to keep your road trip safe and smooth—plus how our Ohio BMV-approved [...]
Five Things to Watch Out for While Driving Across State Lines
Driving across state lines can be an exciting adventure—whether it’s a weekend getaway or a work commute. But new state borders bring new laws, road conditions, and enforcement tactics that can trip up even seasoned drivers. At Online Two Point Driving Classes, we’re here to help you stay [...]
Ohio Speeding Tickets: Costs, Points, and How to Fight Them
Speeding tickets in Ohio can hit hard, piling on fines, license points, and insurance hikes that linger for years. Whether you’re caught going 10 mph over or pushing 30+, understanding the costs and consequences is crucial to keeping your driving record clean. At Online Two Point Driving Classes, [...]
Reckless Driving vs. Careless Driving: What’s the Difference?
Understanding the difference between reckless driving and careless driving in Ohio can save you from hefty fines, license points, and even jail time. Both are serious traffic offenses, but they carry distinct legal definitions, penalties, and consequences. At Online Two Point Driving Classes, we’re here to clarify these [...]
What Can You Get Pulled Over for in Ohio?
Knowing what can get you pulled over in Ohio is key to avoiding tickets, license points, and bigger headaches like suspensions. Ohio police have wide authority to stop drivers for traffic violations, from speeding to broken taillights, and each stop risks adding points to your record. At Online [...]
Texting and Driving in Ohio: Laws and Dangers
Texting and driving is a growing hazard on Ohio roads, blending distraction with dire consequences. Ohio has cracked down with strict laws to curb this behavior, but the risks—crashes, injuries, and even death—persist when drivers can’t resist their phones. At Online Two Point Driving Classes, we’re here to [...]
What Is the Legal BAC Limit in Ohio?
Understanding the legal BAC limit in Ohio is critical for every driver. BAC, or blood alcohol concentration, measures how much alcohol is in your bloodstream, and exceeding Ohio’s limits can lead to an Operating a Vehicle Impaired (OVI) charge with severe consequences like fines, jail time, and license [...]
Drinking and Driving in Ohio: Know the Risks and Penalties
Drinking and driving is a perilous decision with severe repercussions, particularly in Ohio, where stringent laws aim to curb impaired driving and ensure road safety. Officially termed Operating a Vehicle Impaired (OVI) in the state, this offense can result in jail time, steep fines, and prolonged license suspensions. [...]
What Is Impaired Driving? Ohio Laws and Penalties Explained
Impaired driving is a serious offense in Ohio and across the United States. Whether caused by alcohol, drugs, or other substances, driving while impaired puts not only the driver at risk but also passengers, pedestrians, and other motorists. Ohio has strict laws regarding impaired driving, and the penalties [...]
Drunk Driving in Cleveland: Consequences and Legal Options
Drunk driving remains a major concern in Cleveland and throughout Ohio, posing serious risks to drivers, passengers, and pedestrians alike. The state enforces strict laws against operating a vehicle under the influence (OVI) to reduce accidents, injuries, and fatalities. While the legal and financial consequences of an OVI [...]
Careless Driving in Ohio: What Counts as a Violation?
Driving in Ohio comes with the responsibility of following traffic laws and ensuring safety on the roads. While many drivers understand the dangers of reckless or aggressive driving, they may not realize that careless driving is also a serious traffic violation. Ohio law categorizes careless driving as an [...]
Driving Misdemeanors in Ohio: What You Need to Know
Driving in Ohio comes with responsibilities, and failing to follow the rules of the road can result in serious legal consequences. Many traffic offenses are considered misdemeanors, which can lead to fines, license suspension, increased insurance rates, and even jail time in some cases. Whether you’re a new [...]
Understanding Vehicle Insurance Requirements in Ohio
Owning and operating a vehicle in Ohio requires adherence to specific insurance requirements. These regulations are in place to ensure that drivers are financially responsible for any accidents they may cause. Without proper insurance coverage, drivers risk severe penalties, including fines, license suspension, and even legal consequences. Understanding [...]
How to Reinstate Your License in Ohio After Suspension
Losing your driving privileges due to a suspended license can be frustrating and inconvenient. Whether your license was suspended due to traffic violations, failure to pay fines, or other infractions, reinstating it requires following specific steps outlined by the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV). The process varies [...]
Avoiding a 12-Point Suspension: Tips for Ohio Drivers
The Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) enforces a point system to track traffic violations and penalize repeat offenders. Accumulating too many points on your driving record can lead to a 12-point suspension, meaning your license is temporarily revoked, and reinstating it requires fulfilling specific requirements. Understanding how [...]
How Many Points Until Your Ohio License Gets Suspended?
Understanding Ohio’s point system is essential for drivers who want to maintain a clean driving record and avoid license suspension. The Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) assigns points to a driver’s record for traffic violations, and accumulating too many points can lead to severe consequences, including a [...]
Common Traffic Violations That Add Points to Your License
Traffic violations are not just minor infractions; they can have long-term consequences, including the accumulation of points on your driving record. The Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) tracks traffic violations by assigning points to offenses, which can ultimately lead to license suspension if too many points accumulate. [...]
