The Top 5 Reasons Why Police Officers Give Traffic Tickets

Every day, people across the country are stopped by police officers for violating traffic laws. When faced with a traffic citation, you have to decide whether to challenge it or plead guilty and accept the fine. You can also face collateral consequences like increased car insurance rates and a possible suspended license.

Law enforcement officers look for common signs that a driver may be violating driving laws. The following list describes the most common reasons police pull drivers over. Not all of these reasons are traffic violations. Sometimes, the police are looking for something else. To keep your driving record clean after a ticket, find a local traffic violation lawyer for legal advice.

Common Traffic Violations Leading to Tickets

Police officers need reasonable suspicion to make a traffic stop. While this is sufficient for the stop itself, probable cause is required to issue a ticket or make an arrest. Police can look for clear signs of traffic violations, like speeding or failure to stop at a red light. Police can also look for signs of more serious violations, like weaving, that could indicate drunk driving. Some of the most common reasons why police give traffic tickets include:

• Speeding
• Running a red light
• Driving under the influence (DUI)
• Texting and driving
• Expired registration or license plates

1. Speeding

Speeding violations are among the most common types of traffic tickets given to motorists. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), speeding killed more than 12,000 people in 2022. Travel at or below the speed limit to avoid a ticket and endangering others, including your own passengers. Reduce your speed to account for weather conditions.

Excessive speed violations can result in reckless driving charges, depending on your speed and the speed limit. An attorney familiar with traffic ticket cases can review your traffic violation case and identify your best defenses. Speeding ticket defenses include challenging the radar gun evidence or the officer’s observations.

2. Failure to Stop at a Traffic Signal

Stop signs and traffic signals tell drivers to make a full stop before continuing. Sometimes, drivers rush to get through a yellow light before it turns red or roll through a stop sign when there’s no one around. Failure to stop at a stop sign or red light is a common traffic violation.

Drivers can also get a similar ticket for failing to yield the right of way to pedestrians. This is common when turning right on a red light at a crosswalk.

Unfortunately for many motorists, the police officer’s own observations are the evidence they use for issuing a red light violation. However, some officers have dash cameras that can dispute the police officer’s story.

3. Driving Under the Influence

Drunk driving is more than just a traffic ticket. Most traffic stops involving driving under the influence (DUI) will end up with a misdemeanor arrest. Drivers may not know if they drank enough to put them over the limit. If you choose to drink, get a ride home from a sober friend or take a rideshare or taxi.

Police can’t determine if a driver is under the influence when they make a traffic stop. However, they look for visual indicators of possible impaired driving. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), possible drunk driving cues include:

• Weaving
• Stopping problems
• Driving the wrong way
• Following too closely
• Driving without headlights

4. Improper Cell Phone Usage

Most states ban the use of cell phones while operating a motor vehicle. To avoid distracted driving, certain jurisdictions require that you use a hands-free device. Distracted driving can be as dangerous as drunk driving. According to the National Safety Council, at least 28% of all traffic crashes, or 1.6 million crashes each year, stem from drivers using cell phones and texting while driving.

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

You need to update your car registration and driver’s license according to state law. You can get a ticket for driving a car with an expired registration or expired license. If you have extenuating circumstances that have delayed your renewal, keep documentation. You may still have to pay a fix-it ticket, but it will be less than the cost of a full traffic violation.

When Stopped by Police

Police officers often have discretion 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 a traffic infraction or 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

Legal Help Dealing With a Traffic Ticket

Multiple traffic tickets can raise your car insurance premiums, or you may face a possible suspension of your driver’s license. It is important to get legal advice before deciding whether to pay the fine and plead guilty. If you have any questions about how to handle a traffic ticket with an upcoming court date, get legal advice from an experienced traffic violation attorney.