If you are going on a road trip, you should know that your risk of getting stopped for a traffic offense is high. Here are four possible explanations for this heightened risk:

The High Mileage

Research shows that the more you drive, the more you are likely to be involved in a traffic violation. Road trips, by nature, involve driving over long distances. Therefore, your risk of committing a road offense and getting noticed by a traffic officer increases on a road trip. After all, you are likely to cross multiple traffic checkpoints, meet different patrol officers, and drive over different roads (highways, rural roads, gravel roads) – all of which increase your risk of committing an offense.

Different Traffic Laws

Different states have different traffic laws and rules. Sure, the basic things like driving under the influence (DUI) are illegal in all states, but there are a few differences. For example, in Vermont police officers don't have to prove that you were going over the speed limit; they can just guess at your speed, claim that it was over the limit, and the court will accept their word. Therefore, if you are used to your state's driving laws, you may be in for a rude shock when you get stopped for something that wouldn't raise eyebrows in your home state.

Tiredness and Sleepiness

When on a road trip, you may get to a point where you are too tired, but you don't want to stop driving before meeting your target. Maybe you want to cover a certain number of miles, reach the next town or drive until a particular hour of the day. For example, you may keep on driving even if you are tired because the next town is famed for its pizza, and you want that to be your next meal. Unfortunately, driving while tired or drowsy increases your risk of committing a traffic violation because it decreases your awareness of the road.

Intoxication

Many Americans consider alcohol an essential part of a road trip. Some people don't plan to drink and drive, but "find themselves" doing it when their designated drivers get tired or when they convince themselves they aren't intoxicated. Unfortunately, alcohol and driving don't go well together, and DUI is one of the most serious traffic violations in any state.

Do your best to avoid the behaviors that could lead to traffic offenses. If you do get stopped and arrested, consult an attorney, like one from Jividen And Wehnert Llc, to handle your legal defense and, hopefully, minimize the disruption to your road trip. 

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