Despite your best intentions, it can be easy to be pulled over by a cop and receive a ticket that may increase the cost of your insurance. Additionally, being pulled over can prevent you from reaching your destination in a timely manner. To prevent the financial and emotional hassles associated with getting pulled over, you should avoid the five following common driving mistakes.

Ignoring the Speed Limit

Police issue tickets to those driving too fast because their reaction time is severely decreased, and they pull over slow drivers under suspicion that alcohol or drugs are involved. You should be aware of the posted speed limit at all times to avoid being pulled over for this violation. Officers may allow you an extra five to ten miles above the speed limit before pulling you over, but this is up to their discretion.

Choosing Not to Wear a Seat belt

Though the fines vary depending on your location, being pulled over for a seat belt violation can easily result in a ticket that will cost you over $100. This is one of the easiest mistakes to avoid when it comes to getting pulled over by the police, because it only takes a few seconds to fasten your seat belt before you begin your trip.

Following Other Vehicles Too Closely

If you are tailgating another car, you run the risk of reducing the time you have to react if they need to suddenly stop. The general rule is that drivers should allow one car length between them and the car in front of them for every 10 mph that they are driving.To avoid getting pulled over for following a vehicle too closely, pass ones that are going to slowly for you to comfortably follow behind. If you cannot pass them, remind yourself that getting pulled over by a cop will delay your trip more than having to slow down to follow them.

Using Vehicle Equipment Improperly

Since a broken headlight can be expensive to replace, you might be tempted to drive without one. Alternately, you might decide not to use your turn signal or fail to turn your headlights on at all. In both of these instances, you are making it more difficult for the other drivers on the road to know where you are going. To avoid getting pulled over, always use your turn signal when you are getting ready to make a turn, and turn your headlights on 30 minutes before sunrise and sunset. Certain weather conditions, such as rain, snow and fog, also require the use of headlights in order to make your vehicle visible to the other drivers.

Engaging in Reckless Driving

The category of reckless driving includes multiple behaviors that police offers can judge to be putting yourself and other drivers at risk, including include improper lane changes, failing to stop at a stop sign or traffic light, shaving while driving, committing a u-turn, or texting while driving. Avoiding getting pulled over for committing these mistakes is easy if you remember that your attention should always be focused on the act of driving. You might be in a hurry, but your reckless driving will only catch the attention of a police officer, who will delay your trip further by pulling you over.