Traffic violations range from simple speeding to reckless endangerment, but which are the most common? Even the safest of drivers commit infractions from time to time, which is why it takes vigilance and focus to stay on top of yourself. Here are the most common traffic violations and how you can avoid them.
Speeding
The number one traffic violation is speeding. It can be tempting to go over the limit, especially on highways, but it’s vital that you take not of all posted speed limits. Be mindful of your speed, as well, to help you avoid this common mistake.
Drunk Driving
Driving under the influence is a major issue across the country. This violation puts you and everyone else on the road at risk. While gauging how drunk you are can be difficult, gauging how many drinks you have is simple. Stay under the legal limit.
Heading in the Wrong Direction
This violation is simple for most roads, but there are a handful of tricky areas across the country. Some signs are difficult to see, while other roads can be misleading when placed directly next to the intended turn. If you find yourself in this scenario, get off the road as soon as possible to avoid a pedestrian accident.
Running an Intended Stop
Whether it’s a stop sign or red light, failing to bring your car to a halt can have disastrous results. This violation often occurs when drivers attempt to run through the yellow light or roll through a stop sign. Both can leave you with a hefty ticket, if not worse.
Unsafe Lane Changes
Not using your turn signal when changes lanes is a traffic violation, but people do it all the time. Without fair warning, other drivers cannot know what your next move is going to be. Switching lanes frequently or weaving in and out of traffic also fall into this category.
Reckless Driving
This violation is broad, including everything from distractions to dangerous maneuvers. Texting and driving, however, is one of the most common forms of reckless driving. You should avoid any distraction when behind the wheel.
Road rage is worth mentioning for this violation as well. Angry drivers often make reckless decisions, putting their life and others drivers in danger. While anything can set off road rage, a common cause is racial motivation. If you’ve been the victim of rage on the road, you might need a Spanish speaking car accident attorney to settle every aspect of your case.
Following Too Closely
While some areas do not have laws on following other vehicles, most consider following another car too closely as a violation. This leaves you little time to react if the vehicle in front of you suddenly slams on the brakes. Most jurisdictions call this action tailgating.
Illegal Passing
There are areas where you can pass cars legally, which are marked by dotted yellow lines. Any separating yellow line that is solid means you cannot pass. For some areas, the same is true for the color white. Choosing to pass illegally is a heft fine, not to mention extremely dangerous.