13 Things That Will Attract Unwanted Police Attention to Your Car

If you’re a car or driving enthusiast, chances are the police have pulled you over at some point.

Most traffic stops are generated by probable cause and directly impact road safety, but occasionally, the reason you’re being stopped can be less clearly defined.

High-performance models and modified cars tend to attract more unwanted attention than a mundane econobox, but several other factors also contribute.

Speeding

Speeding is perhaps the most obvious reason for the police stopping you. It’s the most common infraction police officers look for. Most of us have heard the dreaded line, “Do you know how fast you were going?”

Except for drunk driving, speeding is arguably the most dangerous behavior on the road. There have been countless police and government campaigns over the years that tried to make people slow down, but none have been 100% effective. If you adhere to the speed limits, you’ll save money on speeding tickets and insurance premiums.

Modifications

It’s one thing that illegal modifications attract the attention of the long arm of the law, but even legal ones catch their eye. As long as all the mods are legal and compliant with the state emissions and safety regulations, the police should, in theory, let you go.

However, if, upon closer inspection, it turns out there are other issues with your car, you may find yourself in hot waters. If you drive a modified car, ensure everything else is in order because you will be pulled over at some point.

Broken Lights or Wrong Use of Lights

One surefire way to attract the police’s attention is if your car lights are broken or damaged or if you’re not using them correctly.

Your car’s lights should all be in working order, and checking them only takes a minute. Proper lighting is essential for visibility and safety when driving at night or in low-visibility conditions, and driving without it is illegal and dangerous.

Unsecured Loads or Overloading

If you have to carry something on a trailer, roof rack, or in the back of a pickup truck, you should be aware of a couple of things.

There’s the load limit, meaning you can’t exceed the weight the vehicle/trailer is rated for. You also can’t stack things sky-high, even if it’s under the weight limit. Finally, the load must be properly secured so nothing falls off. Make a mistake here, and you’ll soon draw the attention of the local constabulary.

Ignoring Traffic Signs

There’s no good excuse for ignoring traffic signs. Their meaning is clear, and they’re there for a reason — to keep you and other road users safe.

Sometimes, drivers have too much going on at once, and they miss a traffic sign. That just means they need to pay better attention to what’s happening outside the car. Missing or ignoring a traffic sign is one of the primary reasons drivers get pulled over, and it can be an expensive lesson.

Loud Music

Driving on the open highway with your sound system blaring is one thing. Literally, no one cares about that. However, moving through built-up areas with the music turned up to 11 can be considered a disturbance and distraction, especially at night when people want some peace and quiet.

Noise is one of the things the police monitor, and at the very least, you risk being stopped. Worst case scenario, you’ll face a ticket.

Loud Exhaust

As we already mentioned, the police are monitoring noise levels, and to make matters even worse, cameras now detect how loud a car is.

While it’s possible to turn down the sound on the stereo, that’s not an option on most car exhausts. Waking up the neighbors and having every dog in the area bark at your car is all fun and games until someone calls the police.

Visible Vehicle Damage

Minor cosmetic damage isn’t a problem, but if you drive around in a car with a cracked windshield, missing bumpers, damaged fenders, and dented doors, expect the police to pull you over for a chat.

The police will inspect the car to see if there’s any structural damage or if the car is neglected and not fit for road use. Of course, accidents happen, and a small pebble can easily break the windshield, but there’s no reason to drive with it like that for weeks. By staying up to date on maintenance and keeping your car in good shape, you won’t need to worry about the police pulling you over for driving a wreck.

Obscured or Missing License Plates & Expired Registration

Your vehicle’s license plates must be valid, fully visible, and properly attached. If the plates are obscured by anything, including dirt, they may attract unwanted attention from the police. They’ll likely pull you over to check if you’re hiding something.

They also routinely check for expired registration or tags, which can result in a fine. However, it’s very simple to avoid, as it’s just a matter of being a responsible car owner.

Using Your Phone While Driving

Unless you’re using a hands-free system, you shouldn’t be on your phone while driving. What happens around you should have your full and undivided attention.

Texting or emailing is especially bad, as you’ll take your eyes off the road while typing. Using a phone while driving can cause accidents and seriously injure other road users, so we agree entirely with the police pulling people over for it.

Reckless and Dangerous Driving

Drivers who put others’ lives at risk by weaving in and out of traffic, changing lanes aggressively, or tailgating should definitely look out for flashing lights in their rearview mirror.

There are no excuses or justifications for behaving like this on the road. Such actions are dangerous and careless; even when they don’t cause an accident, they can still scare other drivers. Luckily, the police are on the lookout for this, and it won’t be easy to talk your way out of it.

Excessive Window Tint

Tinted windows can be both practical and cool; in most cases, it’s also completely legal. However, there are cases where tinted windows can attract attention from the law.

Excessive tint, meaning the windows are completely blacked out and hinder visibility, is one such scenario. If the windshield is tinted, you’ll probably get pulled over, too. Every state and country has specific regulations regarding tinted windows, so find out how dark you can go and stick with that.

Erratic or Suspicious Behavior

It’s no secret that the police are highly trained in noticing suspicious behavior to prevent crime. Ironically, if you appear to avoid the police, chances are they’ll stop you to find out if you’re up to something.

Erratic behavior, whether it’s inconsistent speeds, brake checking, swerving, etc., is another way you’ll draw attention to yourself. This type of behavior often shows that the driver is impaired, so they’ll pull you over to find out what’s happening.