The Top 5 Reasons Why Police Officers Give Traffic Tickets

Every day, people across the United States are stopped by police officers and issued traffic tickets for violating traffic laws. Often, what comes next is a big hassle. When faced with a traffic citation you have to decide whether to take it to court and challenge it or plead guilty and accept the fine. You can also face collateral consequences that can affect your ability to drive in the future, like increased auto insurance rates.

The following list describes the most common reasons police pull drivers over. Use it to minimize your chances of being pulled over in the future. But if you have received a ticket and have questions about your rights and options, find a traffic lawyer near you.

1. Speeding

Speeding tickets are one of the most common types of traffic tickets given to motorists. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), speeding killed 12,330 people in 2021. Travel at or below the speed limit to avoid a ticket and endangering others, including your own passengers. This is especially true during difficult weather conditions.

An attorney used to handling traffic ticket violation cases will know if the police officer properly used the radar gun to accurately capture the speed of your motor vehicle and write you a ticket.

An additional note on safety: Passengers who wore seat belts were less likely to be killed during a traffic accident. According to NHTSA, approximately half of the 26,325 people killed in car accidents in 2021 were not wearing their seat belts.

2. Driving Under the Influence

The best way to avoid a DUI arrest is obvious: Don’t drink and drive. If you choose to drink, get a ride home from a sober friend, because you are a risk to others on the road. Often a minor traffic violation like forgetting to signal when changing lanes or turning can lead to a traffic stop and an officer observing that you may be drunk.

3. Improper Cell Phone Usage

Some states ban the use of handheld cell phones while operating a motor vehicle. To avoid distracted driving, certain jurisdictions require that you use a hands-free device. Due to the number of injuries caused by the use of cell phones, however, it is smarter to make the safest choice and not use your cell phone at all while driving. Distracted driving is a huge risk to public safety. According to the National Safety Council, at least 28% of all traffic crashes, or at least 1.6 million crashes each year, stem from drivers using cell phones and texting while driving.

4. Committing Traffic Violations

You must be aware of the rules of the road wherever you are driving. Whether running a red light, failing to stop for a stop sign, entering an intersection on a yellow light, or failing to yield properly, you can face an expensive traffic ticket for breaking local traffic laws. Make sure you understand the traffic laws wherever you are.

5. Expired Vehicle Registration or Lack of a Valid Driver’s License

Your car registration and driver’s license need to be updated according to the rules of your state. It is illegal for a motorist to operate a car with an expired registration or with an expired license. If you have extenuating circumstances that have delayed your renewal, or you have made a good-faith attempt to renew your license or registration but haven’t been able to through no fault of your own, then you should keep documentation of the circumstances in your vehicle and provide them to an attorney. It may help your case.

Be Respectful When Stopped

Police officers have discretion about whether to issue you an informal warning or a traffic ticket. Police will also check your driving record to see if you have a pattern of driving violations when considering whether to give you a warning. In most states, police must issue a ticket instead of detaining you if the basis for the stop is for a petty misdemeanor or an offense not punishable by jail. Police can detain you in most states:

• To prevent bodily injury to you or anyone else
• To prevent further criminal conduct
• If you have a history of failing to appear in court or pay traffic tickets

Be respectful with the police officer. You can assert your Fifth Amendment right to silence or request a lawyer, but being disrespectful or physically aggressive can put you at risk for more serious charges.

It is illegal to drive or run away from an officer who attempts to stop you by using a siren or flashing lights. Depending on the state, fleeing can rise to the level of a felony.

Who Do I Contact if I Get a Traffic Ticket?

If you have any questions about how to handle a traffic ticket that has an upcoming court date, whether it’s a less serious traffic infraction like an equipment violation or a more serious charge of drunk driving, make sure to seek the legal advice of an experienced criminal defense attorney who handles traffic violations.

Multiple speeding tickets can raise your car insurance premiums, or you may face a possible suspension of your driver’s license in some cases, so it is important to get legal advice before deciding whether to pay the fine and plead guilty before you appear for your court date.