Learn English – What do you call someone who commits a traffic violation

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People who commit crimes are criminals, people who commit felonies (heinous crime) are felons, is there a specific word for people who commit traffic violations (minor crime) i.e. crosses a double yellow line, runs red light, etc. Is there a word for people who commit these types of infractions?

So for clarification, the violations I'm talking about are ones you would be ticketed from by a police officer, but would not receive jail time for. These violations are in the context of California law. Also, I am looking for a word that would describe someone who habitually commits these violations.

Sentence: X run the risk of getting ticketed, or even losing their licence, because they constantly ignore traffic laws.

Best Answer

You could consider using habitual traffic offender for someone who habitually commits those violations you mentioned. According to Washington State Department of Licensing (reference is not available on California DMV), it is defined as:

A driver who, within a 5-year period, has been:

Convicted of 3 or more offenses listed in RCW 46.65.020(1).

or

Found to have been convicted of or committed 20 or more moving violations listed in WAC 308-104-160. The violations must have occurred within a 5-year period. If more than 1 of these offenses are committed within a 6-hour period, they’re only counted as 1 on the first occasion.

The Law Place defines it as:

... and receiving 15 or more moving violations within five years.

Moving violations:

A moving violation is any violation of the law committed by the driver of a vehicle while it is in motion. The term "motion" distinguishes it from other motor vehicle violations, such as paperwork violations (which include violations involving automobile insurance, registration and inspection), parking violations, or equipment violations.

[Wikipedia]

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