VWB Blog Wondering what traffic laws in California are most frequently broken? If you’ve received a ticket for a traffic violation, you may be wondering how many fellow drivers have done the same thing you have. Or, you may be thinking about moving to California and want to know what traffic violations are most common here. To satisfy your curiosity, here are the top three traffic laws violated in California, and what to do if you’re given a ticket.
Speeding
This probably won’t come as a surprise, but speeding is by far the most common traffic violation committed in California. To avoid getting pulled over for this common offense, watch carefully for speed limit changes, especially in school zones, neighborhoods and construction zones. Consult with a speeding ticket lawyer if you feel you’ve been issued a speeding ticket unfairly.
Stop Sign and Red Light Violations
Unfortunately, the term “California stop” isn’t completely unfounded. Rolling through stop signs and running red lights is a common occurrence on California streets. You could receive a ticket up to $500 if you’re convicted of running a red light. You can avoid a red light ticket by slowing for yellow lights instead of attempting to speed through them before they change. The fine for running a stop sign is generally a little lower, with an average of about $235 per ticket. Avoid this fine by coming to a complete stop at every stop sign.
Tailgating (Following Too Closely)
The California Driver Handbook states that you should leave enough space between you and the vehicle in front of you (ideally three seconds) so you can avoid a collision if the driver in front of you unexpectedly slows or stops. If you follow too closely, you can receive a ticket.
If you think you’ve been issued a ticket unfairly and you’d like to fight it, hiring an experienced traffic ticket attorney Santa Ana may be a wise decision. An experienced lawyer is familiar with the law and may be able to help you build a case for your innocence.