What’s that one thing a driver experiences every day, and we wholeheartedly pray to avoid it every time we see it? Being pulled over by the police while driving!
While some obvious law violations render you suspicious, sometimes even common driving gestures can put you in hot water. The traffic cops are constantly on the lookout, and so should you.
Speeding
Zebra recently published a study stating that 9 in 10 drivers admit speeding. It is a shockingly high number, as according to NHTSA, 52% of all accident-caused fatalities were due to speeding in 2022. So, don’t wonder why you get pulled over by the police when you don’t abide by the area’s upper speeding limits.
Not Yielding to Traffic Signs/Lights
If you are running through a red light or making illegal U-turns on a regular basis, you will most likely get pulled over any time in the near future. Sometimes, the traffic signs are uncommon and vary from place to place. You should be aware of the traffic signs in the area before hitting the roads.
Wrong-Way Drive
Are you considering saving time and saving yourself from that long-distance U-turn by driving the wrong way? Don’t. You will likely have to take much more time to answer to the cops for breaking the law, ultimately facing the legal consequences.
Using Cell Phone
Driving is a job that demands complete and uninterrupted focus. You lose much of it when you pick up your phone while driving. It is (sadly) pretty popular to share the view of the road from the driving seat to maintain that Snapchat streak, but police won’t take it as a valid reason. It’s better to practice multitasking at home.
Improper Lane Changes
It’s not only other drivers on the road who are bothered by improper lane changes; cops will pull over anyone changing lines abruptly as it is about safety as much as it is about the law. In California, hogging on the left lane is now a ticketable offense.
Tailgating
Following any vehicle too closely is never a good idea. You will bump straight into it if it has to stop abruptly, and you are never ready for that. According to Federal Law, you must keep roughly a 1-second distance for every 10 feet of the vehicle when driving below 40 mph. Tailgating is a significant safety issue, and cops will pull you over to teach it if they ever observe you doing that.
Broken Tail Light
You can get a ticket for a broken tail light even if you are unaware it is out. The fine is around $28.50 in Missouri, and the total AFCD goes up to $95.00. California charges a hefty $230. Taillights are a massive source of communication among drivers, ensuring safety and uniformity on the road, and accidents can result if they are broken or malfunctioned.
Littering
You are safe from the cops if you are civilized enough to know that you must keep the roads clean. However, anyone throwing garbage out of the window for it to hit other vehicles or mess up the road will face the penalty. When you can get several hanging garbage containers for your car, there really is no excuse.
No Turn Signal
What happens if the person driving before you takes an unexpected turn without a signal? You have to make a sudden effort to prevent an accident, and it’s highly unsafe. Therefore, taking turns without any sign or signal will catch the traffic police’s attention.
Having a Loud or Broken Exhaust System
Noise pollution is on the rise, so all areas now have sound ordinances you need to obey. You will get pulled over for a loud or broken exhaust system, so it’s better to get it fixed before you take your vehicle on the road.
Broken or Missing Driver Side Mirror
A broken or missing driver’s side mirror is another huge safety concern, as it prevents you from viewing the following vehicles. As a result, drivers change lanes without any idea of the direction of cars behind them, which is highly unsafe and a huge reason for police to pull over the vehicle.
Covered License Plate
The license plate is your identification, and you should ensure that it’s never covered with mud or dirt as the cop will get suspicious, and you’ll have to face the consequences. The penalty can be severe if you are covering it on purpose.
Close Calls
You can get pulled over if you nearly hit a vehicle. It hints at your reckless driving, and cops never let it go unnoticed.
Accelerating or Decelerating Too Quickly
It might seem like a personal decision and a silly reason to get pulled over. However, it is another safety risk, and police may pull you over if you attempt a brake check.
Using a Wider-Than-Usual Turning Radius
Making a wide turn while driving might seem like an innocent mistake, but it can actually get you pulled over by the police. Although making a wide turn isn’t usually illegal, if it causes you to cross into another lane of traffic, it can become a problem. This type of maneuver increases the risk of a collision and can be considered dangerous, which is why police might stop you.
Leaving Bright Headlights On
Bright headlights can be blinding on the road, especially at night. They pose a danger to the drivers of smaller vehicles, and cops might stop to have you turn them off.
Driving on the Center Line
It is fine to pass through the center line, but it is not okay to drive on it. It leaves other vehicles unsure if you want to switch lanes. The police might interrupt to help you decide the lane you want to stay in.
Illegally Tinted Windows
While tinted windows give you the privacy you crave as an introvert, it makes identification difficult for police. While a little tint should be fine, police will pull over cars with highly tinted windows. For instance, California allows 70% VLT for front-side windows, while other windows can have any percentage. On the other hand, Montana allows only 24% VLT for the front side windows and 14% for the back side and rear windows each.
Seat Belt Violation
Even if you have not committed any other traffic violation, you can go home with a ticket if you aren’t wearing a seatbelt while driving. In fact, the law now demands that even passengers wear seat belts for added protection.
Cutting Drivers Off
It’s about common courtesy. Cutting off other drivers will make the police pull you over, but aside from that, it raises questions about your manners. Sadly, it’s a general practice for many people around.
It’s All For Your Safety!
Many of these laws are designed with your safety in mind. They exist to protect you and others on the road. Once broken, you can’t undo the consequences—no matter how small the infraction, the damage can be irreversible. So, don’t wait until it’s too late. Take control and improve your driving habits today.
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Zainab Noor is a motoring journalist. Childhood rides in Nissan Almera fueled her love for cars. After graduating from AIOU in 2021, she steered her passion into freelance writing. You can find Zainab on LinkedIn.
