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Apr 18, 2013

For most drivers, getting a traffic ticket is not on the top ten lists of things to do!   From speeding to tailgating to unsafe lane changes – you’re probably guilty of some of these habits at some point in time.  There are several bad driving habits that are likely to get you a traffic ticket if there is a cop in the area – so follow these tips from a Pinellas Park area Kia dealer to help decrease your risks for getting a ticket:

Driving Too Fast

Sometimes speeding is unintentional and you don’t even realize how fast you’re going until you see the flashing lights of the cop behind you.  Other times, you are purposely pushing the speed limits because you’re in a hurry to get somewhere.  If you find yourself traveling faster than the posted speed limits, you can be pretty sure eventually you will be caught and find yourself paying a traffic ticket fine or facing the judge in court.

You can help prevent speeding when traveling on the highway by using your cruise control to set your speed.  When driving through the city or residential areas, just remember to check your speed regularly and keep it under the posted limits to avoid a ticket.  It’s better to get where you’re going a few minutes later than get into a car accident or end up with a speeding ticket.

Driving Too Close: Tailgating

When you drive too close to the vehicle in front of you, it’s called “tailgating”.  Tailgating is a dangerous way to drive because it does not give you very much time to react if the car in front of you has to stop or turn unexpectedly for some reason.  Tailgating usually ends up in a rear ending accident – or if a police officer sees a car tailgating, they may decide to give the driver a ticket for unsafe driving.

A good rule of thumb is to leave about a cars length for every ten miles per hour you’re driving.  If traveling at 60 miles per hour, leave six car lengths between you and the car in front of you to give yourself adequate time to stop.

Changing Lanes Without a Turn Signal

Vehicles are equipped with left and right turn signals in order to let other drivers and pedestrians know what your intentions are.  If you don’t use your turn signals when turning off a highway or changing lanes on a multi-lane highway, the drivers of the vehicles around you are not sure what you plan to do and a car accident is more likely.