There aren’t many moments more anxiety-laden than the initial realization that the red and blue lights flashing in your rearview mirror are for you. Even if you are confident that you have done nothing wrong, it is still a paralyzing experience. The first step in avoiding this dreaded event is to never drink and drive. Beyond that, avoiding traffic tickets just requires that we observe the speed limit and make common sense decisions while being mindful of other drivers and pedestrians.
While most of us are competent drivers who are concerned with our own safety as well as the safety of others, we all tend to make the occasional mistake once in a while. Here’s a brief list of the most common of those mistakes:
Speeding – There’s no real shocker here. We all have places to be, people to see, dollars to earn, and dollars to burn. That said, the posted limits aren’t suggestions – they are the law. Police officers across the country issue more than 100,000 speeding tickets every day, and over 30% of all accidents come as the result of speeding. On top of that, Texas is one of the five most common states in which to receive a speeding ticket. So, regardless of your rush, slow it down. It may only make the difference of a few minutes for your commute, and it will save you a ticket – not to mention your or another driver’s life.
Running a Red – Yellow lights exist for a reason. If you think it’s going to be close, it’s much safer (and smarter) to simply apply the brakes and wait your turn. Every year, thousands of violent collisions result from impetuous drivers who failed to realize that the same laws that applied to everyone else also included them. Additionally, Texas is one of 24 states that has installed traffic cameras at traffic lights to enforce the law. But you shouldn’t stop at red lights just because it’s the law; you should do so because it’s a safer way to travel for everyone involved.
Cell Phones – Using mobile devices while driving has become a huge issue throughout the country since the seemingly overnight explosion of smart phone ownership and consequent text-centric communication among the young and old alike. Most of Texas’ larger municipalities have banned texting while driving, and it’s likely only a matter of time before this dangerous practice becomes illegal across the great state of Texas. It’s already illegal to text and drive in school zones, and young drivers aren’t allowed to use a mobile device in any capacity while driving. This has become a major issue and should not be taken lightly. Your life just might depend on your patience, so whatever you have to say, it can definitely wait.
Seatbelts and Car Seats – This one is a little baffling. Despite all of the research, legislation, and advocacy, people continue to hurl themselves along side streets and freeways at ridiculous speeds without bothering to buckle up. What’s worse? An alarming number of parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, babysitters, and childcare providers fail to properly strap children in. Thankfully, there has been a heightened effort to raise awareness through advertising and police enforcement within the last 20 years, which means that you’ll be paying the price if you can’t be bothered to do something as simple as reaching across your shoulder to click in that life-saving device.
DWI – If you take anything away from this article, please remember this: never, under any circumstances, drive when under the influence or get in a car with a driver who has been drinking. The national legal alcohol limit is .08%, which isn’t very much. When you receive a driver’s license in Texas, you are giving your consent to a breathalyzer or blood alcohol test on the spot. If you refuse, your license will be suspended for 180 days – no questions asked. If you need any more incentive not to drive after drinking, here’s a harrowing statistic from the Texas Department of Transportation: In 2011, there were 1,039 people killed in motor vehicle traffic crashes where a driver was under the influence of alcohol. Just imagine how many of those deaths could have been avoided had alcohol been removed from the equation.
In addition to these common violations, other driving-related activities could result in the immediate suspension or revocation of your driver’s license:
- Failure to stop and render aid
- Presenting a fake, expired, or suspended license
- Allowing someone else to use your license or ID card
- Possessing more than one license
- Repeated traffic violations (4 in 12 months or 7 in 24 months)
- Second instance of failing to stop for a school bus
It sounds trite, but driving is a privilege that must be earned, not an inalienable right bestowed upon anyone of a certain age. Every year, thousands of Texans take this privilege for granted and pay the consequences of their ignorance, negligence, and arrogance. Therefore, please drive safely, observe the rules of the road, and practice common sense. You’ll save money, and you’ll save lives.
And if you’re ever injured in a crash when someone else is involved, make sure to contact a qualified, experienced attorney. At Crosley Law Firm, we offer free consultations so you can get your questions answered and get advice about your best course of action – free of charge. If you’d like to schedule your free consultation, call our offices at (877) 535-4529. You can also fill out a convenient free case review form to describe your situation; one of our attorneys will promptly get back to you.
Reference:
Lass, Robyn. (2013). 5 most common traffic tickets in Texas. I Drive Safely. Retrieved from http://expresslane.idrivesafely.com/5-most-common-traffic-tickets-texas
