For a driver, there’s nothing more terrifying than getting pulled over by a police officer. Every year, thousands of traffic tickets and fines are charged to thousands of drivers. Officers on patrol keep an eye on traffic, and look for very specific driving behaviors. Take a look into the most common violations a police officer will pull someone over for, and how you can avoid them.
Speeding
When an officer is on patrol, nothing will catch their eye faster than someone who is driving over the speed limit, and tickets can be classified as either misdemeanor or felony traffic violations, depending on the speed of the driver. Most cops think stopping a speeding driver is their main priority, as speeding drivers are often the cause of heavy accidents. In addition, many modern cities have installed speeding cameras, which can identify speeding drivers and issue them traffic tickets without having to pull them over.
Cellphone Use
There’s been an rise in the number of cell phone tickets that have been issued in the U.S. Texting or talking on a cell phone is one of the most distracting actions a driver can do. By now, over 30 states have banned cellphone use while driving. If an officer notices a driver holding their phone or looking down into their lap, there’s a high chance that they’ll pull that driver over.
Improper Lane Changes
An improper lane change are any traffic violations that can occur during the switching of lanes. This can include cutting off another driver, failing to use a signal, or failing to look over before switching into another lane. To avoid getting pulled over for improper lane changes, make sure to turn your blinker on at least 3 seconds before switching lanes, pay close attention to road lines, and avoid changing lanes while traveling in an intersection.
Tailgating
Many police officers look for drivers who are using aggressive driving techniques, such as tailgating. Tailgating is when a driver is following too closely to another vehicle. When driving in traffic, it is best to provide yourself with 1 car length between the next vehicles. This can prevent you from getting sentenced with a reckless driving change, which can lead to all types of traffic tickets and fines.
