• If you break a law of the road, you may be given a citation.police motorcycle 1 image by jbattx from Fotolia.com
  
  When you become a licensed driver in Arkansas, you accept responsibility for knowing the traffic laws of the road. Many laws are well known, such as coming to a complete stop at a red light, and obeying the speed limit. But there are other traffic laws in Arkansas you may not be so familiar with. Knowing these laws will lessen your chances of receiving a citation.
  
  

Seat Belts

• If you are the driver or a passenger in the front seat of a car in Arkansas, you are required to wear your seat belt. Additionally, if you have a passenger under the age of 15, he must be buckled in. A safety seat is required for any child who weighs under sixty pounds, or is age six or under. If an officer can see that seatbelts aren't being worn, he can pull you over and give you a ticket.
  
  

Bicyclists

• In Arkansas, the law doesn't define a bicyclist as a vehicle. But the Arkansas Code of 1987, Annotated, 27-49-111, from the Uniform Vehicle Code, reads "every person riding a bicycle or an animal, or driving any animal drawing a vehicle upon a highway shall have all the rights and duties applicable to the driver of a vehicle..." This means that you, as the driver of a motor vehicle, must give the same consideration to a bicyclist on the road, just as you would another motor vehicle. Bicyclists also have the same responsibilities that drivers of motor vehicles do, and many times must ride in the same section of road.
  
  

Littering

• In Arkansas, also known as "The Natural State", throwing litter from a car is a violation of the law, as well as being unsafe for motorists. Fines run up to $1,000 and may include community service for a first offense of littering, with subsequent fines up to $2,000 and additional community service.
  
  

Cell Phone Use

• Many people know that Arkansas law prohibits the use of cell phones while driving. However, few people understand how extensive the law is. For instance, a driver with a learner's permit, or a driver under the age of eighteen may not talk on a cell phone while driving. No one, no matter what age, is allowed to text message while driving. School bus drivers can't use a cell phone unless they are stopped with the parking brake on. It is in your best interests to put your cell phone away if you are driving.