Did you know that police pull over more than 32 million drivers in the United States for traffic violations each year? While the average American driver has just a 1% chance of getting pulled in a 12-month period, your location, age, and gender can play an important role.
For example, data shows that the city of Los Angeles accounted for 24% of the nation’s total traffic stops. Other states including South Carolina, Montana, Washington, and Texas also have high stop rates.
Your age and gender may play an even bigger role than the state you live in. Not only can this impact the likelihood of getting pulled over, but also the chances of receiving a citation for your violation. Let's take a look at a few statistics — some might really surprise you!
Men Get More Speeding Tickets
According to the Minnesota State Patrol’s ticket database, men of every age get at least 50% more speeding tickets than women. In addition, male drivers over age 55 get 200% more tickets than their female counterparts.
Young Drivers Don’t Get the Most Tickets
While you may assume that younger drivers are more likely to receive traffic tickets, this is actually not the case. According to data, it's experienced drivers who really need to brush up on the rules.
Studies show that individuals who are between the ages of 50 and 64 years old are most likely to have received a speeding ticket in the past five years. In addition, 70% of drivers in this age group say they have received at least one speeding ticket in their lifetime.
Drivers in the 30- to 49-year-old age range are the most ticketed. To be even more specific, those with a household income of more than $75,000 are the most likely to receive a traffic ticket. This makes sense when you consider that many individuals in this age range are either busy professionals or time-crunched parents, which may make them more likely to engage in behaviors such as speeding and distracted driving.
Millennials Are the Most Dangerous Drivers
A recent study by Insurify found that Millennials, who are now in the 27- to 42-year-old age range, are the most dangerous drivers, while Baby Boomers (currently between 60 and 77 years old) were found to be the safest.
Among Millennial drivers:
27.31% have an at-fault accident or moving violation on their record
13.60% have received a speeding ticket
2.53% have been convicted of driving under the influence
Millennials were also determined to be the most likely to be charged with reckless driving and running red lights.
What to Do if You Receive a Traffic Ticket
Receiving a moving violation can be a big deal. Not only do traffic tickets involve a fine, but depending on what the ticket is for, you may end up with points on your license, which can lead to higher car insurance rates.
However, if you receive a traffic ticket, you may be able to take a court-approved defensive driving course. Depending on your state, this could remove the traffic ticket fee, help you avoid points, and may even get you a 10% discount on your car insurance premiums.
Aceable’s online defensive driving courses are quick, easy, and affordable, so you can take care of your traffic citation without wasting time or money. If you have a traffic ticket in California, Florida, Indiana, or Texas, we can help. Start exploring your options now!
Updated 4/11/23