Most Common Driving Violations
Getting a traffic ticket is no fun. It causes a time delay from getting pulled over, usually costs a few hundred dollars in fines, add points to your license, cause your insurance costs to go up, and may even require you to go to traffic school. People who’ve been driving for a long time may even be surprised when they get a ticket. It’s been so long since they’ve sat through a driver’s education course, and they’ve probably had the same bad driving habits for a long time. As a refresher, here are some of the most common traffic violations.
Speeding
This is one of the most common violations. Many people around the country drive over the speed limit, especially on highways. Depending on how fast you’re going, speeding can have fines up to $500, and you may have to go to traffic school or have points added to your license. Speed limits are carefully set to make the roads as safe and efficient as possible, so do yourself a favor and follow them. You’ll be glad you did.
Running a Stop Sign or Red Light
This doesn’t necessarily mean blatantly blowing through a red light or stop sign. When you’re at a stop sign, you need to come to a complete stop, not just rolling through if there aren’t any other cars around. A good rule of thumb is to stop for three full seconds to be sure. The same rule applies when making a right on red. Even if there are no cars coming, you need to make a complete stop before turning or risk getting a ticket.
Not Signaling
It’s tempting to just switch lanes without a signal when you see an opening, but that can get you a ticket, as well. Other drivers can’t read your mind, and signaling when turning or changing lanes is the only way to let them know. If you don’t use a signal, you could get rear-ended or side swept by another car.
Frequently asked questions
What are the most common traffic violations drivers get cited for?
Speeding tops the list and is one of the most ticketed offenses in the country, particularly on highways. Running a stop sign or red light is the second major category, and that includes rolling stops and right-on-red turns made without a full stop. Failing to signal lane changes and turns is the third common citation. Each of these violations can carry fines, points on your license, higher insurance premiums, and in some cases mandatory traffic school. The fixes are simple: slow down, stop completely, and use your signals every time.
How much can a speeding ticket cost?
Speeding fines vary by how far over the limit you were traveling, where the violation occurred, and your prior driving record, but they can run up to $500 or more. On top of the fine, you may have points added to your license and your auto insurance rates often rise for several years after a citation. Some jurisdictions also require traffic school. Posted speed limits are engineered for safety and traffic flow, so following them protects your wallet as much as your safety.
Do I really have to stop completely at a stop sign if no one is around?
Yes. A complete stop is required by law every time, even on an empty street. The Top Driver rule of thumb is to stop for three full seconds at the stop line so there's no question you came to rest. The same applies to right turns on red: come to a full stop behind the line, check for cross traffic and pedestrians, and only then turn. Rolling stops are one of the easiest violations for an officer to spot, and they're a leading cause of intersection collisions.
Why is using your turn signal so important?
Turn signals are how you communicate your intent to every other driver, cyclist, and pedestrian around you. Skipping the signal during a lane change or turn forces other drivers to guess, which leads to rear-end and side-swipe crashes. It's also illegal in every state. Use your signal well before the maneuver, not at the same time you start turning the wheel, so others have time to react. It costs nothing and prevents tickets, crashes, and insurance claims.
What happens to my insurance if I get a traffic ticket?
Most moving violations cause your auto insurance premium to go up, sometimes for three to five years after the citation. Insurers treat tickets as evidence of risk, and even a single speeding ticket can mean hundreds of dollars in added premium over time. Multiple violations within a short window can push you into a higher risk tier or cause your policy to be non-renewed. Add in the fine itself, possible traffic school costs, and the time lost dealing with it all, and the true price of a ticket is much higher than the citation amount.
