No matter the location that you’re in, tens of millions of traffic tickets are issued each year, all over the world, raking in big revenue for state and local coffers. For the motorist, even one speeding ticket can raise your insurance premiums up to several years, and multiple violations can push your rates through the roof. Fortunately, many tickets can be avoided with by following a few simple guidelines. Sometimes at no direct fault of yours, you still get a traffic ticket. That’s when you can appoint a traffic ticket attorney Long Beach specialist to help you out of it.
Some of these tips are just pure common sense, but others may surprise you!
1. Avoid speeding
Obviously, the very first way to dodge a speeding ticket is to avoid speeding. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, speeding was a contributing factor in 30% of all fatal crashes in 2012. It resulted in over 10,000 lives lost that year.
2. Plan Ahead
One of the main reasons drivers speed is because they are in a hurry. Many of us become programmed to do everything as quickly as possible. In a vehicle, that means speeding. So if you’re the procrastinating type, it won’t really help you get to work any faster. Our advice, then, is to plan ahead.
3. Recognize Triggers
Intense emotions (anger especially) can have startling effects on driving, impacting an individual’s rationality and impairing him or her worse than cell phones. Find your triggers. Notice how you’re feeling when you speed and use the information gleaned to avoid future issues.
4. Pay Attention to Signs
Make it a habit to read street signs, even in familiar areas. Once it becomes habitual, you’ll find you won’t miss that speed-reduced sign in an unfamiliar city.
5. Be Nice to Officers
Police officers risk their lives on a daily basis, and while some have certainly abused their power, most are just carrying out their jobs to keep you safe. Avoid being rude to a police officer. It’s the quickest and easiest way to get a ticket!
6. Wear your seat belt
It’s the law pretty much everywhere, and an iron-clad excuse for a sharp-eyed officer to pull you over. It only takes you a few seconds to belt up.
7. Don’t stand out
Maintain your vehicle. Cracked windshields, burnt-out taillights, and other minor maintenance issues can get you a ticket. And put the cell phone away while you are behind the wheel.
8. Go with the flow of traffic.
If you’re going to speed, you’re less likely to be issued with a ticket if other motorists are doing it. If everybody’s going 90 in a 80, chances are you can get away with it. In fact, if you’re going significantly slower you may be a hazard—but if you treat that as a license to go 95, guess you can’t escape.
9. Stay out of the “fast lane.”
Drivers in the “fast lane are more likely to be ticketed not only because they’re typically driving faster, but also because of the psychological element: they appear to be going faster simply because they’re in the “fast lane”.
10. Take a Driving Course or Contest a Ticket
If you just can’t lighten that lead foot and you’ve gotten a ticket because of it, consider a driving course. If you’ve had a ticket in the past, defensive driving courses can actually get it dismissed for you or even remove existing points on your driver’s license.
However, if you’ve just recently gotten a ticket, you may be better off contesting it with the help of a Santa Ana traffic ticket lawyer. The lawyer can help you settle the ticket without adding points to your record to keep your driving privileges safe.
