While driving, whoop whoop is a sound that no one wants to hear. It means that a cop might be pulling you over. What’s scarier than getting a ticket? Plus, getting a ticket is a time-consuming process as you sit on the side of the road, waiting to be let go. Also, tickets jack up your insurance rates for years. So check out what driving habits to avoid if you don’t want to get pulled. 

Five driving habits that guarantee a ticket 

We want to go over a myth first. Do red cars really get more tickets? I’m testing a 2021 Volkswagen Atlas right now and was told that I would probably get a speeding ticket in it just because it has red paint. 

According to American Auto Insurance, this myth is false. White cars actually get pulled over the most because it’s the most popular car color. However, red does land in second place. I’ll just have to keep an extra eye on my speed this week. 

1. Don’t lead the pack 

According to More, you’re more likely to get a ticket if you’re leading the pack. Staying behind another speeder is a sneaky way to speed without being noticed. Leaving a little distance between yourself and the car in front of you can help you avoid the radar gun. 

Plus, following another car gives you more time to notice speed traps and police cars, allowing you to know when to slow down. Going faster than the cars around you and leading the pack makes you stick out. 

A former police officer shared that speeding past everyone else puts a radar on your windshield to get pulled over. Cops are often watching cars that go faster than surrounding vehicles because it makes them easier to notice. 

2. Don’t drive with bad manners 

It’s true, traffic jams and running late can be frustrating. At the end of a bad day, when you just want to get home, road rage and bad manners can happen. But it’s best to relax and drive responsibly. 

Weaving through lanes, tailgating, cutting people off, honking the horn, and more can make you stick out. If you drive angry, you may endanger your life and the lives around you. Cops watch for aggressive driving styles to keep the roads safer. 

3. What you drive might make a difference 

Going back to the red car thing, the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety compiled a list of the vehicles that get pulled over more often. The Hummer, Audi A4, Subaru Outback, are Toyota Solara are a few that made the list. 

But it doesn’t always have to do with the vehicle or color. Younger people get ticketed more often than older folks. Also, wealthier people are more likely to speed in options like their Mercedes. 

4. Having more noticeable details 

Having a car with a lift kit, underbody lights, bright bumper stickers, and more can draw more attention. Also, unique license plates that spell out a phrase or name are easier for cops to remember. 

But noticeable aspects go beyond political bumper stickers that cops might disagree with. Broken headlights, cracked windshields, missing side mirrors, and more draw attention. Get these issues fixed as soon as possible. 

5. Timing can matter 

More cops are out watching for speeders during peak driving times. Morning rush hour, five o’clock traffic, and holiday weekends increase the number of vehicles on the road. Therefore more policemen and women are out to protect the streets. 

These are the times to drive extra carefully than normal. Although to protect yourself, passengers, and fellow drivers, it’s important never to speed. Please drive carefully out there and follow traffic laws.