Drivers often are confused or simply unaware of what types of actions give the police the right to make a traffic stop. Often the police claim “careless driving” as the reason for making a stop. “Careless driving” according to Mississippi law does give police a broad area in which to work when it comes to making a stop. According to Miss. Code Ann. § 63-3-1213 careless driving is defined as driving “any vehicle in a careless or imprudent manner, without due regard for the width, grade, curves, corner, traffic and use of the streets and highways and all other attendant circumstances….” This definition can include swerving, rolling stops, or even crossing the fog line or hitting the rumble strips. Being pulled over for even seemingly minor violations can land a driver in a much more serious situation if drugs and/or alcohol are discovered incident to the traffic stop.
