What 3 traffic tickets are new drivers most likely to get?

Driver beware! Just being a new driver means you’re more at risk of getting certain tickets.

That’s not a result of the police specifically targeting young drivers. It’s simply because new drivers don’t have the experience to “steer clear” of danger, and they’re more likely to drive while distracted.

If you want to stay safe and keep your money in your wallet, read about the most common tickets and how to avoid them.

What 3 traffic tickets are new drivers most likely to get?

Speeding

You simply want to get to your destination faster. After all, a lot of drivers seem to be going over the speed limit, right?

It is good to remember that the laws on speeding are designed to keep the roadways safe. The police are well aware of the statistics. Almost 30 percent of all traffic fatalities involved speeding. Sadly, speeding killed 9,378 people in a recent year. 

Some in law enforcement have had to see the gruesome results of speeding when called to a crash site. You can be sure that these sobering experiences affect how seriously these officers take speeding when they see it occurring.

But are you convinced that speeding is dangerous? That is the first key. Here are a few reminders of why speeding is so dangerous.

- It’s easier to lose control of your vehicle.

- Your seat belts and airbags offer protection at lower speeds, but they become less effective at high speeds.

- When you speed, your vehicle needs more room to stop—room that you might not have.

How can you avoid a speeding ticket? Better yet, how can you avoid speeding? The answer is simple; know the speed limit for each area and then monitor your speedometer to ensure that you are still within the speed limit. Especially as a new driver, you must train yourself in these two points. Do not simply rely on “traffic flow speed” or your own interpretation of what seems to be a safe speed.

Tip: What if you cannot see a speed limit sign? Many navigational systems display the speed limit and the other directional driving details that drivers use to follow a planned route.

Distracted driving

Would you drive with a blindfold on? No way! But think about it—taking your eyes off the road is like driving blindfolded. Perhaps you have noticed someone weaving around on the road and then observed that they were talking on a cell phone. The police are keenly watching for similar signs of distracted driving.

How can you resist temptations? You know yourself. For some, they can simply put their phone in silent mode to avoid the tempting sound of notifications. Text messages and phone calls can wait. If you know that you have a hard time ignoring the chimes of your phone, it may be best to put its trunk to keep it out of reach!

And if you do have to make an emergency call or text, first pull over to a safe place by the side of the road or a parking lot.

Driving under the influence

You’ve heard about the dangers of driving while under the influence. Those dangers are real. When you’re under the influence, you can’t control your vehicle and your reaction time is much slower.

That’s why the fines are so high for driving under the influence, reaching up to thousands of dollars. The penalties might even include spending some time behind bars.

How can you avoid driving under the influence?

- Plan ahead for someone else to drive you home.

- If you’re out with a group, choose one person who won’t drink and can safely take everyone else home.

- Call a family member, friend, or taxi if you didn’t plan on drinking but then ended up consuming alcohol.