How to avoid getting a ticket while driving

One of the worst parts of driving is getting a ticket. No matter how careful you are and how law-abiding you are behind the wheel, you are probably afraid of getting a ticket.

Tickets cost money, quite often very large sums, and are quite troublesome to deal with. The ticket must be paid for, and sometimes tickets can even lead to a trip to court or driving school.

While most people get at least one ticket in their lifetime, there are many things you can do while driving (and even after you've been stopped) to reduce your risk of getting a ticket.

Part 1 of 4: Obey the rules of the road

Step 1: Pay attention to the signs. One of the most common reasons people get tickets is because they don't pay enough attention to road signs.

While some road signs offer warnings, suggestions, or information, many directly tell drivers what they can or cannot do. Road signs often indicate specific directions, such as speed limits due to road construction. Some highways have signs indicating areas where you cannot drive in the left lane unless you are trying to overtake a slower car.

Follow road signs and always pay attention to them. If you don't read these signs, you may not heed the instructions and end up with a fine.

• A warning: Police often stop near road signs with specific directions, as they are more likely to catch drivers breaking the law in those areas.

Step 2: Observe the speed limit and traffic flow. Drive within the speed limit unless you are in line with the flow of traffic.

On motorways, always follow the flow of traffic. However, do not drive faster than traffic when the traffic is already over the speed limit.

On the highway, always try to drive at or slightly below the speed limit. Everyone accelerates from time to time, but try not to exceed the speed limit by 5 miles per hour (or more).

• Functions: While you want to avoid speeding on the highway, don't be so careful to slow down too fast. Driving too far beyond the limit is dangerous and can also result in a fine.

Step 3: buckle up. Not wearing a seat belt is one of the most common causes of a fine.

Always wear your seat belt and make sure your passengers do the same. If one of your passengers is not wearing a seat belt, you will still receive a ticket.

When you are not wearing a seatbelt, a police officer or traffic policeman can see the buckle shine near your head, making you an easy target.

Step 4: Use Your Lights. It can be easy to forget to turn on your headlights if you live in a city where there is a lot of ambient light at night. However, driving without your headlights on at night is a very easy way to get a ticket.

• Functions: The best way to make sure you always turn on your headlights at night is to develop the habit of turning them on automatically whenever you drive. If your headlights are not working, before driving at night, have a professional have them inspected.

Step 5: Don't text or drive.. Never use your phone while driving.

Sending text messages while driving is not only dangerous, but also illegal and carries a very heavy fine.

It's easy for cops to catch drivers texting because drivers tend to swerve slightly without even realizing it. Put down the phone and you can save both the ticket and possibly your life.

• FunctionsA: Try to minimize the time you spend fiddling with your radio or navigation system. These things can be distracting when you're driving, and if a police officer thinks you're driving unsafely because you're distracted, you could get a ticket.

Step 6: Don't Run Red Lights. Don't drive a red light and drive a yellow light only when absolutely necessary.

Police regularly issue many tickets to people who drive through red lights or are late for yellow lights.

If you can safely stop before an intersection, do so. You may lose a minute on the road, but save a few hundred dollars in fines.

• Functions: Also, always stop at all stop signs.

Part 2 of 4: Maintain your car

Step 1: check the light. Check your vehicle frequently to make sure all of your vehicle's headlights are working properly.

If any of your lights aren't working, you could end up with a pretty expensive repair ticket.

Check headlights, fog lights, high beams, brake lights, and turn signals once a month.

If any of your lights are not working, have them checked and repaired by a reputable mechanic like AvtoTachki.

Step 2. Have current tags. Make sure your vehicle has valid registration marks.

If you do not have a valid registration sticker, do not drive.

• FunctionsA: You should also never have invalid license plates on your vehicle and never take your plates off.

The main reason for having your registration marks on your license plate is so that the police and traffic police can easily see if your vehicle is not registered.

Once you receive your new registration tags, attach them to your vehicle's license plates.

Step 3: Don't make illegal modifications. Never equip your vehicle with illegal modifications.

While modifications are a fun part of car ownership for many car enthusiasts, you should never make modifications to your car that are illegal.

What constitutes illegal modification may vary from state to state, but in general you should avoid colored headlights, under car lights, front or windshield tinting, and racing tires.

Part 3 of 4: General Tips and Tricks

Step 1: Buy a radar detector. Buy a portable radar detector for your car. You can find radar detectors online or at many auto shops.

• Attention: While radar detectors are generally legal, their use is prohibited in some states. Before making any purchases, make sure your state allows it to be used.

Radar detectors are common dashboard elements that detect police radars and alert you when you are approaching a police officer. This gives you a few seconds to make sure you're driving legally before a cop sees you or checks your speed.

Step 2: Know where the cops are. Be aware of the places where the police and traffic police like to hide.

If you start noticing that you often see a police or highway patrol parked at the same junction, don't think it's a coincidence. They are parked there for a reason, probably because they are well hidden or next to a stretch of road where people often speed.

When driving on long highways, be aware that police often park under underpasses, as this makes them invisible to oncoming traffic.

Any section of road that is ideal for speeding, such as a downhill or long stretch of straight, open road, is likely to have a police officer or traffic police officer hiding on or right behind it.

Step 3: Watch out for the fast driver. Move behind the one who is faster than you.

If you are on a freeway and slightly over the speed limit or even traffic, be sure to stay behind those who are going slightly faster than you.

If you drive about 1 mph slower than this driver, you greatly increase the chances that he will get a ticket, and not you, if a police or highway patrol spots you on the radar.

• Functions: If the person in front of you is slowing down, be sure to follow suit rather than go around them. If they see a cop and hit the brakes and you don't, you could be the one to get the ticket.

Part 4 of 4. Work on your ticket

Step 1: Follow the officer's instructions. If you find blue and red lights flashing in your rearview mirror, stop as soon as you can safely.

If you are unable to stop immediately, turn on your turn signals and slow down to signal to the police officer that you are trying to stop.

After you pull over, stay in your car with your hands in plain sight and wait for the cop to show up. Follow all their initial instructions as they will ask you some basic questions and ask for your license and registration information.

Step 2: Be Respectful. Be kind and polite to the policeman who stops you. Use "sir", "ma'am" and "officer" when responding to a police or highway patrol. Never use slang or derogatory terms.

Speak slowly, clearly, calmly and respectfully. Never be belligerent, rude, or upset. If you have a question, ask it politely rather than phrasing it as a requirement.

Step 3. Admit your mistake. If you really don't feel like you've been wrongly stopped, it's best if you admit your mistake. Admit your mistake, apologize for it, and reassure the officer that you won't make the same mistake a second time.

You will have more pity in the eyes of a police officer or a traffic officer if you admit that you were speeding (or whatever got you stopped) than if you categorically deny that you did something that you both know. Once you deny it, you pretty much rule out any possibility of losing the ticket.

Step 4: Give your explanation. If you have a reasonable explanation, please provide it.

Sometimes there is a good reason why you violated the rules of driving. For example, you may have been pulled over for over-accelerating in a car you just bought and are not yet used to. Or maybe you get a repair ticket when you drive to a mechanic or dealer to fix a problem.

If you have a reason for your mistake, report it to the officer. Try to present it not as an excuse, but as an explanation. Tell them your story while acknowledging the mistake that got you stopped.

Police officers and traffic officers are people too, so they can be sympathetic if they can understand what made you break the law.

If you follow the rules of the road and follow the recommendations given in this article, you will significantly reduce your chances of getting an expensive ticket while driving. You may never feel comfortable when you spot a police car driving behind you on the road, but you can at least know that you're not likely to be pulled over anytime soon.