The more times you’re stopped by a police officer or highway patrol officer and drive away with a ticket, the more you’ll pay for your auto insurance in Charlotte. Traffic violations are common and while not everyone is stopped for every mistake, those who get caught will pay the price – for the ticket and in your insurance.
Avoid these top traffic violations and you’ll pay less for your insurance and stay safer on the road.
SPEEDING
We’re probably all a little guilty of this one. Speeding is the biggest reason for higher insurance rates because it’s the most common traffic violation. It also results in more accidents, which increase your rates. The best way to avoid the problem is to pay attention to and drive the posted speed limit. Using cruise control can help here, as well.
RUNNING RED LIGHTS
Running stop signs are also included in this one. While you may feel like you’re in a big hurry, not coming to a complete stop will result in a ticket. Slow down when you see a yellow light, instead of speeding up. Don’t turn on red unless it’s clear – and only if there are no signs prohibiting it. Pay attention and be on the lookout for stop signs. Running stop signs and read lights, whether intentionally or unintentionally, causes many accidents.
IMPROPER TURNS
It’s easy to panic when you realize you need to turn left but you’re in the right lane. Instead of making that turn anyway, resulting in a ticket and an accident, pass your turn, drive ahead, and turn around when you can. Everyone will be safer when you do.
SEAT BELTS
Some of us remember the days when no one wore a seatbelt, but those days are long gone. If you’re caught, you will get a ticket for it. And f you’re in an accident, there’s a good chance you’ll be seriously injured. Buckle up out there.
TAILGATING
Tailgating leads to fender benders. When you’re the one driving too closely and you cause an accident, you’ll be the one at fault. Don’t be surprised if the officer on the scene writes you a ticket, too.
PASSING IN NO PASSING ZONES
It’s easy to forget the things we learned in driver’s ed, so here’s a quick lesson. If the lines in the middle of the road are solid, it’s a no passing zone. This happens most frequently in spots when visibility is reduced – hills, curves, and small back roads. It can lead to a ticket and an accident.
DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE
Don’t drink and drive, no matter what. You put yourself, your passengers, and every driver on the road with you at risk. Not only will you get a traffic violation, you may end up in jail, too. Get a designated driver, call a cab, use an app like Uber, or simply don’t drink when you know you have to drive.
RAILROAD CROSSINGS
Stopping on the tracks, going around the crossing arms when they’re down, and ignoring the flashing red lights will cause two things: a traffic violation and a major accident, one you probably won’t survive. Keep the tracks clear, even when you can’t see or hear a train coming, because you never know.
UNSAFE LANE CHANGES
Weaving in and out of traffic without looking out for other drivers is dangerous and costly. We’ve all seen someone cut across from the left lane all the way to the right lane at the last minute. Everyone is at risk when that happens.
These are unsafe behaviors that violate the law, and they put you and everyone else that you share the road with at risk. If you want to lower your Charlotte auto insurance rates and avoid accidents, follow all traffic laws, slow down a little, and pay attention to your surroundings.