No one wants to see the so-called “berries and cherries” in their rearview mirror. At the very least, it’s a stressful inconvenience. Or it could be a nasty ticket. While there are the obvious ways to find trouble with the police, these are a few of the oft-overlooked ways to attract the attention of cops anywhere. 

These five driving habits could land you on the radar of cops at home and while traveling

Let’s face it. Most people believe they’re good drivers. While that’s not true (sorry), you might be overlooking a few driving habits that not only make you a less-than-commendable driver, but they might also land you in some trouble with the cops. 

1. Driving without your lights on

I knew a police officer in Central Texas who told me one of the first things he looks for when patrolling at night. There are the obvious things, like swerving. Then there’s a common oversight for drivers: cruising along without your lights on.

It might seem innocent, but some cops will look for motorists driving in low-light without lights and assume the worst. Namely, that the possibly neglectful driver is, in fact, driving under the influence (DUI). So, if you don’t want an unnecessary traffic stop, remember those lights. 

2. Driving with an illegal window tint

Many states allow varying levels of window tint on different parts of the car. And while a tint shop is likely to remind you of the laws in your state regarding how dark your windows can be, they won’t parent you regarding bordering states. As such, you might cruise right into a neighboring state and get a ticket for an illegal tint. If you’re going to travel, make sure you know the laws regarding window tint. 

3. Tailgating

Who hasn’t heard someone gripe about slow-moving drivers in the left lane recently? As annoying as the occasional slowpoke can be, it’s no excuse for following too closely. Frankly, drafting right up to another car’s bumper at highway speeds is a sure-fire way to end up on the shoulder of the road with cops in your rearview. 

4. Passing another motorist a bit too closely

Like tailgating, cutting that pass a little too close could do more than anger the driver behind you. Cutting another driver off is a dangerous maneuver, especially at highway speeds. So, you might be desperate to get around that semi-truck before the column of left-lane hogs arrives, but doing so with no space is a quick way to invite police attention. 

5. Driving without turn signals

It’s true. Some drivers really do believe that they shouldn’t use their turn signals because it will forecast what they’re planning to do next. Like they’re in a spy movie or something. For those of us who live on planet Earth, neglecting to signal is more than an irritating trait of a poor driver; it’s illegal. All 50 states require a motorist to signal a lane change or turn. Forgetting to do so can land you a ticket for “failure to signal.”