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Top Reasons Police Pull Drivers Over

Robert Stahle • February 8, 2021
A woman in a police uniform is standing with her arms crossed.

Drivers never want to see the sight of flashing lights behind them when they are on the road. However, getting pulled over by the police happens to nearly everybody at some point in their life, so knowing how to prevent this from occurring is an important thing for all drivers. Unfortunately, police bias also plays a role in who they decide to pull over, which is why you often need a personal injury lawyer to defend you in court against things like unlawful search and seizure.

At Fitch & Stahle Law Office, our team of defense attorneys has decades of experience working as car accident lawyers , personal injury lawyers, and criminal defense lawyers, so we understand what causes police to pull drivers over. Here is a guide on how to prevent those things from happening in the future.

Speeding

By a wide margin, speeding is the most common reason that drivers get pulled over when they’re on the road. When you’re in a hurry, remember that speed limits are not simply suggestions; they are carefully researched and posted with your safety and the safety of other drivers in mind. In addition to helping you avoid tickets, following the speed limit can positively impact your safety and prevent accidents.

Equipment Violations

Police officers often pull drivers over because the equipment on their vehicle is not up to legal standards. This can include:


  • A broken headlight
  • Window tint that is too dark
  • A broken windshield

Equipment violations such as these are easy for police officers to spot from a distance, making it easy to write tickets for violators. To avoid tickets related to equipment violations, make sure that your vehicle meets legal standards before hitting the road.

Cell Phone Use

Nowadays, nearly everybody has a cellphone, and many people choose to use it when they’re behind the wheel, which is a safety hazard. It’s also illegal in both Iowa and Nebraska. Iowa and Nebraska law prohibit the use of a handheld wireless device to read, write, or send communication while operating a motor vehicle. Police can easily spot drivers who are using their cellphones behind the wheel. Avoid getting pulled over by ceasing cell phone use when you’re driving or by utilizing your vehicle’s Bluetooth calling feature, if it has one.

Improper Lane Changes

Improper lane changes are an easy excuse for police to pull over drivers and search their vehicles for contraband. Police generally classify improper lane changes as cutting another vehicle off or switching lanes without looking or signaling. This dangerous practice often leads to accidents. Be sure to always check before changing lanes, signal your lane changes, and avoid cruising in the left lane unless you are using it to pass.

Sioux City Car Accident Lawyer

If you have been involved in a car accident, do not hesitate to reach out to the team of Fitch & Stahle Law Office. Our attorneys take the time to get to know you and understand your legal situation so that we can best represent you in court.

Contact us today at 402-494-3012.

By Robert Stahle July 28, 2025
Including Dram Shop Liability
By Robert Stahle July 16, 2025
How a Sioux City Personal Injury Attorney Can Help You Seek Justice Each year, drunk driving crashes leave thousands injured or killed—causing devastating emotional, physical, and financial consequences. Despite strict DUI laws and public awareness campaigns, impaired drivers continue to pose a serious threat across Iowa, Nebraska, and the country. For victims, the aftermath of a drunk driving accident is more than just painful—it can be life-altering. At Fitch & Stahle Law Firm , we fight to hold negligent drivers (and sometimes even the businesses that served them) accountable under the law. If you’ve been hurt in a crash involving a drunk driver, we’ll explain your legal options, including how Nebraska’s Dram Shop law may play a role in your case. Why File a Drunk Driving Lawsuit? Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs is not just illegal—it’s a reckless act that endangers everyone on the road. When a driver chooses to get behind the wheel impaired, they can (and should) be held civilly liable for the damage they cause. While a criminal DUI case focuses on punishing the offender, a civil personal injury lawsuit is about helping you rebuild. It allows you to pursue compensation for: Medical expenses (past and future) Lost wages and diminished earning capacity Pain and suffering Emotional trauma Property damage Rehabilitation costs Punitive damages (in cases of extreme recklessness) Nebraska’s Dram Shop Law: Holding Alcohol Providers Accountable Under Nebraska’s Dram Shop Law , victims of drunk driving accidents may also be able to file a lawsuit against the business or establishment that overserved the intoxicated driver. Here’s how it works: A licensed alcohol vendor (such as a bar, restaurant, or event venue) can be held liable if they served alcohol to a visibly intoxicated person or a minor , and that person later caused injury or death. Nebraska law limits these claims to commercial sellers of alcohol—not social hosts. A dram shop claim can help recover damages if the drunk driver lacks adequate insurance or personal assets. This area of law is complex, and not all attorneys are familiar with how to navigate the strict requirements and timelines involved in dram shop litigation. That’s why working with a firm like Fitch & Stahle , which handles cases in both Nebraska and Iowa , is crucial. What Needs to Be Proven in a Drunk Driving Case? To recover damages in a drunk driving lawsuit, your legal team must prove the following: Duty of care – The driver had a legal responsibility to drive safely. Breach of duty – That responsibility was violated by driving impaired. Causation – The impairment directly led to the accident and your injuries. Damages – You experienced real harm—such as medical costs, lost income, or emotional distress. In dram shop cases, your lawyer will also need to demonstrate that the bar or establishment served a visibly intoxicated individual who went on to cause the crash. Why You Need a DUI Injury Lawyer in Nebraska or Iowa Drunk driving cases are rarely straightforward—especially when multiple parties may share liability. Insurance companies will often try to minimize payouts, shift blame, or dispute your injuries altogether. At Fitch & Stahle Law Firm , we will: Preserve key evidence such as police reports, BAC results, surveillance video, and eyewitness accounts Analyze potential dram shop liability Work with medical and accident reconstruction experts to build your case Identify all available sources of compensation Aggressively negotiate with insurance companies—or take your case to trial if needed Our team has deep experience with Nebraska’s unique dram shop provisions and Iowa’s liability standards. We understand what it takes to hold all negligent parties accountable. What Damages Can You Recover? Depending on the specifics of your case, compensation may include: Economic damages : Medical bills, lost income, future treatment costs, property loss Non-economic damages : Pain, suffering, mental anguish, loss of companionship Punitive damages : Intended to punish especially reckless conduct—like drunk driving In cases where dram shop liability applies, these claims can be especially valuable when the at-fault driver is underinsured or has no assets. Time Is Critical – Act Now In Nebraska, the statute of limitations for personal injury and dram shop lawsuits is typically four years , but specific timelines may apply depending on the facts of your case. Evidence like surveillance footage and eyewitness memories can fade fast—so it’s essential to speak with an attorney right away. Get Help from a Sioux City Personal Injury Attorney Who Understands Nebraska Dram Shop Law If you or a loved one has been injured by a drunk driver—especially one who may have been overserved at a Nebraska bar or restaurant—you have the right to seek full and fair compensation. At Fitch & Stahle Law Firm , we’ve helped countless clients across Sioux City , Iowa , and Nebraska recover after devastating crashes. We’ll handle the legal details so you can focus on healing. Call us today for a free consultation — and let’s start fighting for the justice you deserve.