guest statute. A law that bars a nonpaying passenger in a noncommercial vehicle from suing the host-driver for damages resulting from the driver’s ordinary negligence. • Though once common, guest statutes remain in force in only a few states. — Also termed automobile-guest statute. Cf. FAMILY-PURPOSE RULE . [Cases: Automobiles 181. C.J.S. Motor Vehicles § […]
Law Enforcement Information Network. A computerized communications system used in some states to document driver’s license records, automobile registrations, wanted persons’ files, etc. — Abbr. LEIN.
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uninsured-motorist coverage. Insurance that pays for the insured’s injuries and losses negligently caused by a driver who has no liability insurance. Cf. UNDERINSURED-MOTORIST COVERAGE. [Cases: Insurance 2772. C.J.S. Insurance §§ 1647, 1650, 1653.]
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omission, n. 1. A failure to do something; esp., a neglect of duty (the complaint alleged that the driver had committed various negligent acts and omissions). 2. The act of leaving something out (the contractor’s omission of the sales price rendered the contract void). 3. The state of having been left out or of not
negligent, adj. Characterized by a person’s failure to exercise the degree of care that someone of ordinary prudence would have exercised in the same circumstance (the negligent driver went through the stop sign) (negligent construction caused the bridge to collapse). [Cases: Automobiles 146; Negligence 200, 232. C.J.S. Motor Vehicles §§ 18, 41, 500–503, 506–510, 545–546,
Gross negligence so extreme that it is punishable as a crime. • For example, involuntary manslaughter or other negligent homicide can be based on criminal negligence, as when an extremely careless automobile driver kills someone. — Also termed culpable negligence; gross negligence. [Cases: Criminal Law 23; Negligence 1800–1802. C.J.S. Criminal Law § 38; Negligence §§
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accompany, vb. To go along with (another); to attend. • In automobile-accident cases, an unlicensed driver is not considered accompanied by a licensed driver unless the latter is close enough to supervise and help the former.
penalty point. A punishment levied for a traffic offense and accumulated on the driver’s record. • If a driver receives a statutorily set number of points, the driver’s license may be restricted, suspended, or terminated.
FAC.abbr. Failure to answer a (traffic) citation. • In some jurisdictions, if someone fails to respond after receiving a ticket, the court notifies the relevant administrative agency, which records this information and suspends the defendant’s driver’s license until the FAC is vacated and any fines or fees are paid.
FCJ.abbr. Failure to comply with a judgment (imposed for a traffic violation). • The defendant’s driver’s license is suspended until the FCJ is remedied and the fines and fees are paid.