Comprehensive List of Possible “Careless or Improper Operation” Citations

Law enforcement officers can issue a careless or improper operation citation for almost any non-criminal traffic violation. Careless driving tickets are often used as a catch-all for minor traffic infractions. It’s important to distinguish between careless driving and reckless driving—reckless driving implies intentionality, whereas careless driving is unintentional. To be classified as careless driving, the behavior of the driver must not have resulted in any serious injuries or damages. Read on for a list of traffic violations that might result in a ticket for careless or improper operation. Remember that state law and officer discretion largely determine what qualifies as careless or improper operation, so the following list is not all-inclusive.

• Following too closely
• Driving at a speed that is higher than what is reasonable given the driving conditions
• Switching lanes quickly or too frequently
• Operating a mobile device (cell phone, laptop, GPS system, etc.) while driving
• Reading while driving
• Drifting out of your lane
• Reaching for something in the vehicle
• Looking somewhere besides the road
• Hitting an inanimate object, such as a tree or a light pole
• Changing lanes where prohibited, such as in an intersection
• Operating an unsafe vehicle
• In some states, carrying a passenger on a motorcycle
• Failing to turn on headlights
• Driving the wrong way on a one-way street
• Driving on the wrong side of the road
• Failing to stop completely at a traffic light or stop sign
• Failing to yield
• Making a U-turn where prohibited
• Turning right on red where prohibited
• Driving too slowly
• Failing to pull over for an emergency vehicle