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Traffic Violations & What To Do If You Are Pulled Over

Do you remember learning how to drive? Didn’t you love that thrilling feeling of sitting behind the wheel, ready to travel where ever your heart (or gas mileage) could take you?

As a teenager, most of us couldn’t wait to get our license. I remember it like yesterday, my Driver’s Education teacher said I passed by the “skin of my teeth.” Ahh, memories…

Getting your license requires a lot of work and the process can vary from state to state.  Depending on your Driver’s Education teacher, you were probably taught the proper way to drive, but people still make mistakes that lead to traffic violations. Police give out millions of traffic tickets per year, most of them cost over $100 and could cause other consequences as well.

The top five most common traffic violations are:

  1. Tailgating
  2. Reckless Driving
  3. Improper or Unsafe Lane Changing
  4. Running a Red Light or Stop Sign
  5. Speeding

What do you do if you are pulled over?

No one likes to be pulled over, but if you cooperate you may have a better experience in handling this situation.

  • Look for a safe spot to pull over.
  • Relax.
  • Roll down your driver’s side window, along with any windows which are tinted.
  • Place the car in “park” and turn off the ignition.
  • Keep your hands in plain sight, preferably on the top of the steering wheel, with your fingers visible.
  • When the officer comes to your window, don’t speak first.
  • Keep your answers non-committal and brief.
  • Comply with any requests by the officer.
  • Be polite, and do not argue if you are given a ticket.

(Source: Wikihow.com)

If the police officer does not give you a traffic ticket, it may be your lucky day. Chances are you may not be so lucky next time. Remember to avoid traffic violations by obeying traffic laws and driving safely.

If the police officer does give you a traffic ticket, check to make sure all of the information is correct on the ticket:

-Your vehicle information
-Date, time, & place of offense
-Violation number
-Name and badge number of the Police Officer
-Fine schedule
-Notice of ability to have a hearing to contest the ticket

Then it is your decision to plead guilty or contest the ticket in court.

Traffic laws are different from state to state, so it is important to familiarize yourself with the laws where you live in order to prevent future traffic violations. Also, receiving a traffic violation ticket can affect the rates of your auto insurance, so be careful when on the road. Please contact us for more information.

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