Essential Tips to Avoid a Traffic Violation

Essential Tips to Avoid a Traffic Violation

Whether you have had one traffic violation already and avoiding another ticket or wanting to prevent a ticket all together, there are simple actions you can take to accomplish that!

The best way obviously to avoid a speeding ticket is to not speed. Also, make sure you don’t ignore other traffic laws to avoid moving and non-moving violations. The best way to do this is by keeping an eye out for changing speed limits and don’t let distractions get in your way from driving safely.

Well, that sounds easy enough, right? Okay, so maybe not so much. We have all had those moments where we had a lead foot, listened to the radio too loud, or have had screaming kids in the back seat. That list of distractions goes on and on! While we thought we were being cautious drivers, that one mistake can lead to breaking a traffic law. Before even realizing a traffic law was broken, that awful feeling of seeing a cop car’s lights beaming in our rear view mirror becomes a harsh reality. Closely followed by an expensive fine and/or court experience, stress and most likely higher insurance rates and points on your driving record (unless you attend traffic school to mask them from your insurance company.)

So now that we’ve talked about what a drag it is to get busted breaking a traffic violation, let’s talk about some things to avoid getting a ticket all together!

Here are some tips to avoid getting noticed and dodge a traffic ticket while you're on the road.

• Always pay attention to road signs including speed limits, pedestrian crossings, road work, animal crossing, school zones, etc.
• Make sure that your window tint is not too dark and within California law.
• Don’t use your high beams when approaching oncoming traffic within 500ft or if you are following a car within 300 ft.  You will face a fine of $238 in California for not turning off your high beams in those situations.
• Use the left lane for passing slower vehicles only and avoid speeding back and forth between lanes.
• Avoid additions to your car that may bring attention, such as extra-large spoilers, oversized wheels, and lighted under-carriages.
• Make sure if you have a radar detector it is placed in the right spot.  In California, radar detectors are legal, but the state does have a say about where they are positioned. In California, you cannot mount anything to the windshield as it may obstruct the view. If you have a radar detector in California, you must mount it on the dashboard 
• Always make sure your registration is current.  A cop could tow your car if it is over six months expired but remember there is no grace period for an expired tag so a cop can always use expired tags as a reason to pull you over!
• Make sure you keep repairs up to date on your car, including any cracks in your windshield or damage that could draw the police’s attention.