Although few of us know anyone who has served time in prison for a severe crime, practically everyone knows someone who has been issued a traffic ticket, or they have received one themselves. This statistic shows that excellent, honest behavior is no guarantee of avoiding involvement with the police, at least when it comes to traffic offenses. Here are some practical tips for avoiding traffic violations!
Do Not Drive Over 9 Mph Over the Speed Limit on Highways
If you’re inside this range, most cops will not issue you a ticket. One explanation is that most car speedometers aren’t perfectly calibrated, making it difficult to contest such a minor charge in court. The other explanation is that most cops follow an unwritten rule regarding vehicles that are going a few miles over the listed speed limit. Even if they won’t admit it, most cops know that speed limits are generally under-posted, and they don’t want to hassle individuals for going a few miles over the limit.
Don’t Drive Significantly Faster Than Those Around You
If you do drive faster than the vehicles around you, you’ll stand out, and if there’s a cop nearby, they’ll notice and focus their attention on you. Take a tip from the African savannah’s prey animals: there is safety in numbers. There’s a lower likelihood that you’ll be stopped for driving faster than the posted speed limit if you’re driving alongside a dozen other automobiles that are doing the same.
Never Speed at Night
There are more cops on the road—and fewer other cars—during certain hours of the day. This means you’re more likely to be noticed. And cops will hunt for any reason to stop you because nighttime is the prime time for DWIs. Every automobile that a cop sees will be investigated attentively. If you give the officer a cause to pull you over, they’ll take it.
Ensure Your License and Registration Is Always Up To Date
Cops are taught to search for expired inspection stickers, insurance policies, damaged windshields, and dead headlights or brake lights, among other things. If your vehicle possesses any of these things and you’re speeding even slightly, you’ll be the one who gets pulled over. And chances are you’ll get a ticket if you’re pulled over. The most important goal is to avoid being stopped in the first place.
We hope this article has given you a few practical tips for avoiding traffic violations. If you need to get a new car insurance policy in order to avoid a traffic violation, make sure you know all the myths, misconceptions, and errors associated with doing so. If you’re looking for some tips on what you should do if you get in a car accident, look at our handy guide!
