Complete Traffic Court Resource Collection
Driving involves more than sitting behind a steering wheel and hitting the brakes. The United States Department of Transportation has worked with each of the fifty states to create laws and regulations to keep the nation's roads safe from aggressive, intoxicated, and distracted drivers. Other laws and regulations promote further safety of other motorists, pedestrians, and bicyclists. Every resident must obey these laws to obtain and retain their driving privileges. In addition, every driver must possess a license and registration certifying their eligibility to operate a motor vehicle and acknowledgment of traffic laws.
Obeying traffic laws benefits society as a whole; it can drastically reduce traffic related incidents resulting in property damages, injuries, and even fatalities. Everybody on the road runs the risk of serious injury or death if they or other drivers fail to operate their vehicles according to the law. Unfortunately, not every driver exercises their common sense and responsibility while on the road. Many drivers have ended up behind the wheel after having ingested a few alcoholic beverages. Others simply cannot pry themselves away from their cell phones when their friends or family call them while on the road. Texting may seem harmless; however, it only takes a split second to kill somebody on the road. According to the United States Department of Transportation, about 42,000 people died each year on the roads and highways between 2000 and 2005. Please stay focused on driving to avoid joining this unfortunate group.
Safe driving means obeying the traffic laws by driving the speed limit, not driving too closely to the car in front, stopping at traffic lights, slowing down during inclement weather, and avoiding medications before traversing on America's roads. All of these safe driving practices will decrease the overall probability of getting into a traffic accident. In addition, it will help drivers avoid hefty fines, suspension of their licenses, and even imprisonment. Increased traffic citations also increase auto insurance premiums. Drivers convicted of driving under the influence (DUI) of a mind altering substance may have difficulty finding jobs. Sadly, irresponsible drivers run the risk of living with the guilt of killing innocent people due to their negligence behind the wheel.
Safe drivers preserve their vehicles, lower their insurance premiums, maintain a guiltless conscience, and extend their lives to meet their fate beyond the road. All drivers should consider enrolling into a defensive driver's course to further their understanding of these principles. Follow these resources as a supplement to further your knowledge of driving on America's roads and highways.
Bicycle and Pedestrian Laws
- Resource Guide on Laws Related to Pedestrian and Bicycle Safety
- Bicycle/Pedestrian Safety
- District Department of Transportation: Bicycles and Pedestrians
- Be Street Smart: Pedestrian Safety Tips
- The United States Federal Highway Administration: Pedestrian & Bicycle Safety
Seat Belts Safety
- The National Safety Council: Seat Belt Safety
- Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, Highway Loss Data Institute: Safety Belt and Restraint Laws by State
- The Center for Disease Control and Prevention: Get the Facts on Seat Belt Safety
- The National Organizations for Youth Safety: Seat Belt Statistics
- Governors Highway Safety Association: State Seat Belt Laws
Child Passenger Laws and Safety
- Safe Kids: Car Seats, Boosters and Seat Belt Safety Resources
- American Academy of Pediatrics: Setting and Using the Most Appropriate Car Safety Seats for Growing Children (PDF)
- Child Passenger Safety Information
- Kids and Cars: Types of Dangers
- The Four Golden Rules to Child Safety Seats
Beginner/Teen Driving Resources
- The Checkpoints Parent-Teen Driving Agreement (PDF)
- Teen Driver: A Family Guide to Teen Driver Safety (PDF)
- The USAA Educational Foundation: A Practical Driving Guide for Teens and Parents
- Safe Roads 4 Teens: Graduated Licensing Laws by State
- Teen Driver Source
School Bus Safety
- School Bus Safety
- The American School Bus Council: School Bus Facts
- School Bus Safety Tips
- School Zone Safety Traffic Evaluation (PDF)
- School Zone Traffic Laws (PDF)
Distracted and Impaired Driving Law Resources
- The Blueprint End for Distracted Driving
- AD Council: Texting and Driving Prevention
- Cell Phone Use While Driving - Laws by State (PDF)
- DWI/DUI Laws of U.S. States
- AAA: Distracted Driving Laws by State
Aggressive Driving and Speeding Laws
- Smooth Operator: We're Tough on Aggressive Drivers!
- All About Road Rage and Aggressive Driving
- Aggressive Driving: Type of Problem Being Addressed
- Speeding and Aggressive Driving (PDF)
- Facts and FAQs: Aggressive Drivers
Winter Driving Cautions and Tips