Everyday drivers and commuters have very limited time while on the road. this, however, does not give them the right to ignore road regulations designed to keep them, and other drivers, safe. Road regulation violations are now being enforced by police officers in all states, and in some states, the violations have a maximum fine of $1,210. Each state has different driving rules and regulations, including driving safey regulations, how much insurance a driver needs, and the regulation of driving privileges. Each of these stated regulations are designed to make sure that each driver has the necessary driving equipment and insurance in place to keep themselves and others safe while driving. Each driving state has its own regulations designed to keep drivers safe from being lose their driving privileges. Each of these states has their own rules and regulations designed to keep drivers safe from losing their driving privileges. Having been a road safety advocate, and an observer of the many road patterns and driving enforcement systems, I understand how road pattern enforcement can dramatically increase the cost of driving for the driver or to the driver. However, there are some driving habits that increase the cost of driving that can be kept to a minimum. I have put together this tutorial to explain the driving habits to increase the costs of essentially driving.
Lane Change without Signaling is Dangerous
Drivers who fail to signal when changing lanes are committing an underreported violation. Based on evidence from many states, this violation contributes to nearly 25% of tickets issued for motoring in urban neighborhoods. Law enforcement is not able to document this violation without some type of evidence, such as a video from some type of evidence. Many drivers do not understand the potential dangers when changing lanes without signaling. Imagine driving on a busy freeway, and when changing lanes without signaling, the driver puts their vehicle, and other drivers, a risk of collision. If an individual is caught driving without signaling, the driver is subject to a $250 fine, and depending on the circumstances, the fine can increase to $800 depending on the court and driving of the offense.
Multiplied by tailgating, and the penalties are double. In California, for example, one improper lane change could lead to $1,210 penalties, and this is
without considering reckless driving. The experienced ones know the process, check mirrors, signal, and then look over the shoulder. Nowadays, there are enforcement applications, and driving surveillance is being done by AI. Bad driving habits are still a part of driving, even when the cost is high.
Seat Belts and Child Seat Safety Violations
Because buckling up is so automatic, many people are surprised when you tell them that 15% of drivers still do not wear their seat belts. The
shorter the trip, the more likely a driver is to neglect putting his seat belt on. This is not just unsafe, but it is a field day for the police, since these
types of violations are primary enforcement laws. This means that police and traffic enforcement can pull drivers over just for not wearing a seat belt. In New York, a seat belt violation can carry a $400 fine, and in other states this can be even more expensive. For the parents, the unsafe neglect of putting their child’s seat belt on can lead to even higher fines. Using forward-facing restraints too early can cost you $1,000 and can also lead to a fine that will require you to attend a class.
I have advised families on this subject after they have been ticketed assuming “close enough” would work, and then it didn’t. Children must stay in rear-facing seats until they are two, and must also use boosters until they are 4’9″ tall and they are also not allowed to have toys in their laps. These are not suggestions. The use of covert surveillance on roadways and cruise control have turned family outings into a trip that will result in multiple traffic violations.
Savings are affected by distractions from phones
Using your phone during a red light might seem like a small thing, but laws regarding hands free phone usage in cars have become stricter and more widespread. No phone usage is a $200 – $500 fine and no phone mounting is a $900 total fine. Using your phone during a turn gets distracted driving charges to add to your fine. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has determined that these types of stops and tickets are responsible for 10% of the stops and tickets issued. These types of tickets are often combined with speeding tickets, and these combined tickets become much more costly.
Longtime drivers and commuters claim these techniques work to avoid tickets (and make driving safer): use voice commands to avoid phone usage, and make sure to use a mount for the phone that is mounted below the dashboard. Additionally, the average insurance hike after receiving a fine is 30%. This is a huge post-ticket cost that would transform a $300 ticket into $3000+ ticket over the long run. So keep your phone stowed away, and keep your eyes on the road.
How new tech affects tickets and enforcement
Over the past couple of years, technology that enables enforcement of speeding and traffic laws has rapidly advanced and become abundant. In the past, road tech would have eyes miss and ticket by mail. In certain U.S. states (listed below), the average fine of traffic law violations has rapidly increased by 25% to 30%.
| Violation | Base Fine | Max with Add-Ons | Common States |
|---|---|---|---|
| Improper Lane Change | $250 | $800 | CA, NY, TX |
| Seatbelt/Child Seat | $150 | $1,000 | FL, IL, WA |
| Phone Use | $200 | $900 | All states |
| Failure to Yield (Merge) | $300 | $1,210 | NJ, PA, OH |
The average fine of $1210 for fails to yield merges in states like New JerThe average fine of $1210 for fails to yield merges in states like New Jersey is why the assumption of “nothing will happen to me,” is a high-stakes gamble. New Jersey is renowned for aggressively stacked fees and fines, especially on the highway during rush hour.
Yielding Mistakes and Right-of-Way Blunders
When it comes to merging, many drivers do not yield because they think it is alright to speed past other drivers and not give them the courtesy to merge with them. This is not the case at stop signs, intersection, crosswalks, etc. If a driver does not yield to rights-of-way, they can receive a $300 fine for not yielding and potentially $1,210 due to the risk of driver’s being endangered. Many drivers are confused on using roundabouts and end up getting rear-ended because they think it is the job of the driver merging into the roundabout to give them the right-of-way to enter the circle— this is simply not the case. Many drivers are issued summons for this type of rear-ending and are side-swiped because of this.
In my experience, the most busy times for these types of incidents are during rush hour. The solution is simple; HESITATE SCAN PROCEED. Recently, Waze has started to include yield zones on its navigation system, but it is relying on other drivers to practice caution which is the most important factor in this example.
How to Bulletproof Your Drive
Knowledge is power. The first steps to taking charge of your own driving are to get a dash cam, get a driving permit, and track your improvements on a weekly basis. A defensive driving class not only teaches more legal driving but also gets fines decreased by 10% – 20% and gets insurance to be less. The local safety council does driving audits and i have done it with dozens of people and together we have saved thousands.
The more of these breaches of the law, the more the collective trust in the sharing of the road is decreased and rules being broken are the ultimate sign we have to avoid contact with the other driving. The most important fact in this example is that we have to practice yielding.
FAQs
Q: What is the most a seatbelt violation can cost?
A: In some states, seatbelt violations can cost $1,000 and demerit points can add to this.
Q: Does using a phone mount avoid citations?
A: Yes, as long as the mount is below the dash and is being used in a hands free way.
Q: How do I challenge a lane change citation?
A: In the case of an insufficient lane change citation, the only way to win is to use a dash cam and then ask for traffic school.
