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Police officers pull over drivers for speeding on highways, surface streets, and rural roads nationwide. However, certain driving maneuvers will get you pulled over by police officers just as quickly as breaking the speed limit. 

Speeding is far from the only reason you could get pulled over by police

Law enforcement officers (LEOs) pull over thousands of drivers for speeding every day. However, speeding is far from the sole reason a police officer would pull you over. Not only are these sufficient reasons for a traffic stop, but they’re also some of the most common non-speeding reasons to get pulled over. 

  • Performing an illegal U-turn
  • Failing to signal
  • Tailgating

It happens. You missed your turn. Your GPS is filling the cabin of your car with instructions to find a “legal U-turn.” However, not every intersection is an invitation to sneak in a quick direction change. In fact, many intersections have signs signaling that U-turns are illegal at that location. Moreover, if you cause a crash while completing an illegal U-turn, you’re likely to be the at-fault driver. 

Beyond performing that illegal U-turn, a police officer could pull you over for failing to signal. I know, news to your neighbor in their BMW 340i. All joking aside, many states require you to signal before making a turn. Consequently, that one time you decide not to do so, you could get pulled over by police. Mind you, it could be a small fine, as little as $20 or so in some states like Kentucky. But it’s enough for a traffic stop. 

Driving too closely to another vehicle, or “tailgating” is a jerk move. Sure, driving too slowly in the left lane is poor driving etiquette. However, tailgating isn’t just irritating, it’s illegal and dangerous.

For instance, a RAM 1500 could take around 135 feet to stop from 60 mph. As such, a RAM tailgating a smaller, lighter vehicle with a better stopping distance may take more distance to stop, reaction time notwithstanding. As a result, a 4,789-lb RAM may crash into a tailgated vehicle during a panic stop. 

Remember, just because you’re not speeding, doesn’t mean you’re not driving poorly.

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Staff Writer

Erik Sherman

Erik Sherman joined the MotorBiscuit team as an Autos Writer in 2022. An admitted petrolhead and an avid motorcyclist, Erik has owned everything from classic cars to motorcycles to modern driver’s cars. Erik also has extensive experience with military and emergency vehicles, ranging from ambulances and fire engines to MRAPs and M-ATVs. Erik is an eager car and motorcycle reviewer with experience covering everything from sports cars to pontoon boats and jet skis.

Erik holds a Bachelor’s Degree in International Relations (IRG) from the University of Texas at Austin and has studied Chinese, Energy, and European Politics at the University of Glasgow in Scotland. Erik’s background is unorthodox; he is a United States Marine Corps (USMC) combat veteran, water survival practitioner, and a former firefighter/EMT. Additionally, Erik is a regular volunteer and former instructor with the American Red Cross (ARC).