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Nationwide ‘careless’ law crackdown puts drivers at risk of $1k fines – cops looking out for headlight & brake maneuver

DRIVERS may not know that cops will be searching for violations soon under an incoming July safety crackdown.

Cops could dole out massive $1,000 fines if a driver is caught using their headlights or brakes carelessly.

Police officer issuing a ticket to a woman in her car.
Getty

Drivers should take care not to violate careless driving rules under an upcoming week-long crackdown[/caption]

Silver car driving fast on a highway.
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Everyone faces steep fines if they violate the rules[/caption]

From July 13 to July 18, cops nationwide are going to be on the lookout for anyone driving recklessly as part of the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance’s Operation Safe Driver Week.

Before the crackdown starts, drivers should know exactly what constitutes reckless, careless, or dangerous driving, or they face steep fines.

Many people might not know that they can be pulled over for how they use their brakes and headlights.

If an officer notices a driver using either to “punish” someone else on the road, they could get an instant fine, according to Penske.

Reckless driving tickets vary depending on where you are, but fines can easily balloon to up to $1,000 for repeat offenders in many states.

Plus, if you have multiple severe convictions, you could spend up to a year in prison under some legislation.

Other ways to get caught for reckless driving include using a phone behind the wheel, failing to check blind spots before changing lanes, and not using turn signals.

Securing cargo properly and wearing a seatbelt are also essential practices to avoid tickets.

And, of course, everyone should know to never drive under the influence, run red lights, speed excessively, or cut in front of other drivers.

Last year, cops caught over 11,000 vehicles during Safe Driver Week and issued 1,439 warnings and 1,583 citations to commercial drivers.


MORE SUMMER CRACKDOWNS

Safe Driver Week isn’t the only event that will change the way roads look this year.

There were actually eight new traffic laws that came into effect on July 1.

One of those laws includes a hands-free rule that was enforced in Iowa.

Under the new rule, drivers cannot ever use their phones when they’re behind the wheel.

And the law even applies at stoplights.

Now, the only way that drivers can use their phones is by touching them once as they’re mounted in the center console.

Iowa is just the latest state to bring the crackdown down into law. The rule already applies to 30 other states.

Meanwhile under another new law, drivers will be forced to make room for motorcyclists on the roads.

And a different new rule has imposed $500 fines on drivers who are traveling too fast.

Plus, drivers risk losing their license under a “bullying” law.

HANDS OFF

Currently, there are 31 states, plus the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, and the US Virgin Islands, where drivers are prohibited from using hand-held cell phones while driving.

Across these states, law enforcement officers can generally ticket a driver for using a hand-held cell phone without any other traffic offense taking place.

Some states, however, don’t have a complete ban on hand-held devices, but may instead have restrictions for specific groups – like novice drivers or school bus drivers.

What’s more, most states ban texting while driving.

The aforementioned 31 states are:

  • Alabama
  • Arizona
  • California
  • Colorado
  • Connecticut
  • Delaware
  • Georgia
  • Hawaii
  • Idaho
  • Illinois
  • Indiana
  • Iowa
  • Maine
  • Maryland
  • Massachusetts
  • Michigan
  • Minnesota
  • Missouri
  • Nevada
  • New Hampshire
  • New Jersey
  • New York
  • Ohio
  • Oregon
  • Rhode Island
  • Tennessee
  • Vermont
  • Virginia
  • Washington
  • West Virginia

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