Crime & Safety

Sheriff Gives 10 Tips for Avoiding Traffic Tickets

Here's how to not get pulled over.

It's not hard to get pulled over in Santa Clara County. Drive any of the major highways and you'll see CHP and sheriff vehicles aplenty.

"Being pulled over ... may not be the most pleasant experience," said Dennis Moser, president of the Deputy Sheriffs' Association of Santa Clara County.

To help local residents avoid the embarrassment, fines and time in court, Moser created the guide below for not getting pulled over. 

1. BUCKLE UP: It only takes a few seconds. You can be ejected through the windshield or sunroof and onto the road, where you could be struck by a car and be seriously injured or even die. If you are not wearing your seatbelt, we will pull you over for that reason alone. 

2. STAY CURRENT WITH YOUR DMV LICENSE AND REGISTRATION: We are eagle-eyed when checking that your vehicle is up-to-date and properly registered, so be sure your stickers are current. 

3. MONITOR CELL PHONE USE WHILE DRIVING: You must use a hands-free device at all times when driving or we'll pull you over. Dialing 911 in an emergency is the only exception to this rule. 

4. STAY WITHIN THE SPEED LIMIT: We are often asked how many miles above the speed limit someone can drive before they see our flashing lights behind their car. The answer is zero. Traffic engineering sets speed limits, so the posted speed is the safe speed. 

5. BE AWARE OF UNSAFE TRAFFIC MANEUVERS: Weaving, swerving, driving too slowly, following too closely, stopping too quickly, idling at a green light, and driving at night without headlights are all red flags.

6. DRIVE 100% SOBER: If you are planning to have even one drink, arrange for a sober driver. We consider it a victory every time we take a drunk or drugged driver off our roads. 

7. AVOID DANGEROUS AND AGGRESSIVE DRIVERS: Although you may consider yourself a safe driver, you share the road with aggressive drivers, who are out of control, often impaired and sometimes armed. Ask a passenger to make a 911 call to notify us of these drivers.  

8. SAFEGUARD YOUR CHILDREN: If we see an unbelted child, we will pull you over in a heartbeat. Children need new car seats. Buy new, because old car seats expire.

9. AVOID TINTED WINDOWS: Tinting the front windshield or the front driver's or passenger's side windows after you buy your car is against the law. If your rear window is tinted, you’ll need outside rearview mirrors on both sides of the car. We stop cars for illegal window tinting all the time.

10. KEEP YOUR CAR IN GOOD CONDITION:  Are your brake lights and headlights working? Is your windshield free of cracks? Notice these things before we do, otherwise, a fix-it ticket could be in your future.          


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