Even though they might not admit it, most people have broken driving laws at some point in their life. They might have run a stop sign when nobody else was around or pushed the speed limit a bit when they’re running late. If you get unlucky, you might get pulled over and end up with a big fine on your hands.

For most people, this is a rare occurrence but some people seem to get unlucky and end up getting pulled over all the time. But are they really unlucky or are they simply engaging in certain driving behaviors that are likely to get them pulled over? These are the most common reasons that the police will pull you over and give you a ticket.

Speeding

The most obvious reason that you’ll get pulled over is speeding. People often think that they’ve been caught out unfairly because the police are waiting on the road with a speed gun, trying to catch people out. However, the speed limits are there for a reason and it’s your responsibility to stick to them. Make sure that you stay vigilant so you don’t miss any speed limit signs and you don’t accidentally slip over the limit without noticing. However, if you are sure that there were no signs to notify you of the speed limit change, you may be able to dispute your fine afterward.

Speeding is one of the top causes of car crashes, so even though people often accuse the police of pulling people over to make a quick buck, it is about safety.

Driving Too Slowly

People don’t consider this one that often because most people get pulled over for driving too fast, not too slow. But if you are crawling along at a snail's pace on a road with a high speed limit, that can be incredibly dangerous because you are essentially a hazard in the middle of the road. The police will also be suspicious of anybody that is driving very slowly because it could be an indication that they are under the influence of drugs or alcohol or perhaps that they are injured or sick in some way. They will usually pull over anybody that is driving significantly slower than the speed limit to check what the reason is and make sure that the road is safe.

Drink Driving

Drink driving is another common reason to get pulled over because it’s incredibly dangerous. If the police notice that your driving is erratic and they suspect that you are under the influence of alcohol, they will pull you over. You will most likely be asked to take breathalyzer tests but in many places, the laws around this are quite strict. The police need to have probable cause to pull you over (based on your driving behaviors) and they might also need to place you under arrest before they are allowed to administer a breathalyzer test. It’s important that you know the law in your area so you don’t get caught out.

If you are drinking alcohol, it’s always best to be overly cautious and avoid driving, even if you think that you will be under the legal limit. Your blood alcohol level varies depending on many factors, like the time of day and whether you have eaten, for example. So, you could be over the limit without realizing it and if you get pulled over, you’ll end up in a lot of trouble.

Using Your Phone

The majority of states have laws about using your phone while driving because it’s incredibly dangerous. If you are not paying attention properly because you’re texting or talking on the phone, you are putting yourself and other road users at risk. Your reaction times are significantly slower, and you can’t avoid hazards on the road, making you far more likely to have an accident. Unfortunately, a lot of people underestimate how dangerous using your phone while driving can be and they think that they can get away with it. Don’t think that you can be clever by sitting it on your lap and reading messages either because the police can tell, and they will pull you over. Having the phone open and visible could be considered an offense, so keep it in your pocket or the glove compartment at all times.

Damaged Lights Or Windows

The lights on your car are one of the most important safety features when driving at night. They allow you to get a clear view of the road and they make you visible to other drivers. So, if one or more of your lights is broken, you’re putting yourself and others at risk, which is why you can’t legally drive with broken lights in most places. Your brake lights and turn signals are just as important, so you’ll get pulled over if the police notice that any of your lights are broken.

Damaged windows can also get you pulled over, but a lot of people don’t realize it. If you have a big crack down the center of your windscreen, your vision may be affected. The police may pull you over if they think that your damaged windscreen affects your ability to drive safely. In most cases, you can avoid this and save yourself a lot of money if you fix small chips and cracks right away before they get any bigger.

Not Wearing A Seatbelt

There’s a reason that seatbelts are compulsory because they save lives. It takes two seconds to put your seatbelt on and most modern vehicles have a warning alarm so there’s no excuse for forgetting. If you are seen driving without a seatbelt, you’ll be pulled over right away and most likely issued with a fine.

There are countless reasons why the police might pull you over and in the end, it comes down to their judgment. If they see anything that concerns them and they have reason to believe that you are a danger to yourself or others on the road, they’ll pull you over. But these are some of the most common things that they look out for.