What to Know About Traffic Laws

To legally operate a motor vehicle in the United States a motorist must abide by the traffic laws of the area in which they are driving. Traffic laws are instituted in a broad manner at the Federal level, but distributed and varied through State laws or jurisdictional laws. Traffic laws are implemented to ensure safe driving and impede vehicular accidents or deaths.

Common traffic laws include speed limits, seat belt regulations, and laws associated with passing, tailgating, and operating cell phones or other devices which can obstruct an individual's attention while driving.

Speed limits, which place a ceiling on a motorist's speed, are the most common traffic laws. In addition, traffic laws associated with improper passing or tailgating (following another car too closely) aims to prevent car accidents. Laws associated with being under the influence of alcohol or drugs are also implemented on both a Federal and State level to ensure that the motorist is of a steady mind to properly function behind the wheel. All of these laws aim to maximize safety while operating a motor vehicle.