Traffic tickets are everybody's business

If you've ever gotten a traffic ticket, please raise your hand.

We thought so.

Almost everyone has been pulled over at least once. Traffic tickets are an everyday occurrence, and even if you're a good driver, a lapse in concentration can get you ticketed. First there's denial, then aggravation that it's going to cost you at least $150, probably more. And don't kid yourself, there's nothing "funny" about comedy traffic school. It's a sad way to spend a Saturday.

Readers periodically complain about what they perceive as excessive traffic tickets being written by local deputies. Some drivers complain they have been unfairly targeted, but that's probably because they're habitually breaking the law.

Do we get more tickets in our area because crime rates are low and deputies have little else to do? Possibly. But it's also been proven that strong traffic enforcement leads to fewer accidents, and that's a good thing. Is there a quota that cops must meet that motivates them to write more tickets? The sheriff's department says no, but the question lingers.

Other questions we've pondered: What are the most common infractions? And are some types of cars or those of certain colors pulled over more frequently? Probably.

By the way, here's a tip for drivers: When a crossing guard is leading children across the street, make sure the guard has returned to his post--the place he started from--before proceeding. Overanxious drivers can be ticketed if they drive through the crosswalk, even when the crossing guard and all of the pedestrians have reached the other side of the street.

Good driving is a habit, but so is bad driving. Keep pushing the envelope, and sooner or later you'll get caught. One thing we know for sure: If you obey the laws of the road, you won't get ticketed. And if you are, the chances are good that you won't soon make the same mistake. Police officers know this. That's why they write tickets.

Drive safely, and please buckle up.