Source (CC0 License)

Obviously, you don’t want to get pulled over by the police. Having to deal with all the stuff that comes after this can be so stressful. It’s not something you should ever aim to do as you will just make your life a lot harder than it needs to be. In fact, you should do everything you can to avoid getting pulled over by the police in your lifetime. Unfortunately, this is where most people end up encountering the police. There are many things you can do - either knowingly or unknowingly - that cause the authorities to pull you over. 

Here are the top three ways most people get pulled over, so you can learn what to avoid doing!

Speeding

Driving well over the speed limit is the most common way you will get stopped by the police. Many police officers will sit roadside in their cars with a speed gun, seeing if anyone is driving way faster than they should. Sometimes, you can get a slap on the wrist and a speeding ticket for this, while repeat offenses can land you with some time in jail and a ban on your license. Thankfully, this is so easy for you to avoid. All you have to do is pay attention to the speed limit and your surroundings. Don’t drive excessively fast, especially if you see every other car slowing down around the same area. When all cars start to magically drive slower, it normally means there’s a speed trap nearby. 

DUI

Driving under the influence means you are driving while intoxicated. Typically, it refers to instances where you have a high level of drugs or alcohol in your system. Drunk driving is perhaps the most well-known, but more and more people are getting done for driving while high. Of course, this is an incredibly dangerous thing to do and it can cause many accidents on the roads. As per Sitkoff & Hanrahan, LLP, a DUI is considered a misdemeanor and felony offense, so you can definitely be put behind bars for it. This is something you should always seek to avoid, so never drive if you’ve had even a couple of drinks. You don’t want to take the risk; walk home, get a lift, take the bus, or order a taxi. 

Cell phone use

Lastly, it’s extremely common for police officers to pull people over for using their cell phones while driving. This falls under the category of distracted driving, and it can be a big cause of car accidents. You might be taking a call, fiddling with an app while your phone is on the dashboard, or sending a quick text. If a police officer is nearby, they are well within their rights to pull you over and issue a citation. Don’t take this risk! Put your cell phone away while driving and use wireless connectivity to handle any calls. If you need to use your phone, pull over safely and do it with your hazard lights on. 

Do you want to avoid making life more difficult by dealing with the police? Avoid these three common ways of getting pulled over, and you can drive around far more peacefully.