It’s never pleasant to be pulled over while driving. Unfortunately, with all the rules that we need to obey while out on the road, it can sometimes be difficult to keep track of them all. What follows is a list of the five most common violations that police agencies report; try being mindful of these, and you’ll be able to keep your traffic stops to a minimum:
- Speeding: This one is a no-brainer. Speeding is one of the easiest safety violations to detect, and account for about 34 million tickets in the United States every year. Keep an eye on your speed, and you’re in good shape.
- Distracted Driving: These violations include driving while texting, eating, or performing a similar action that threatens to keep your hands off the wheel or your concentration off the road. Texting is apparently the top violation, with teenagers being the main offenders. If you have a young driver in your household, be sure to advise him or her on proper phone use.
- Equipment Violations: It is fairly easy for a cop to spot violations in your car’s equipment. Illegal window tints are the biggest violation, followed by burned out lights, dangerously broken windshields, and expired tags on your license plates.
- Tailgating and Reckless Lane Changes: Tied for number four, these two violations include cutting off another driver, changing lanes without looking, and driving too close to another vehicle.
These violations are not just potentially costly if you get pulled over; they’re also dangerous, and put you at risk of serious accidents. Should the worst happen, consider bringing your car down to Greenwood’s auto body shop in Seattle.