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If $4 gas didn’t convince you to trade in that big H2 for a Mini Cooper, perhaps your local constabulary will. It seems that Hummer drivers earn more traffic tickets (or at least receive more) than drivers of any other make of car.

Newsday reports, “A company that helps auto insurers spot high risks says in a new report that drivers of the H2 and H3 are ticketed by police at more than four times the rate of the average driver — the highest of models it studied.”

SUV drivers in general don’t need to watch their rearview mirrors for flashing lights. “Contrary to the stereotype of the aggressive sport utility vehicle driver, the report by ISO Quality Planning of San Francisco also found that drivers of Chevrolet Suburbans and Tahoes, big SUVs that share structural and mechanical basics with the H2, are among the least likely to get tickets for moving violation.”

Why the disparity? ISO President Raj Bhat speculated, “The sense of power that Hummer drivers derive from their vehicle may be directly correlated with the number of violations they incur. Or perhaps Hummer drivers, by virtue of their driving position, are less likely to notice road hazards, signs, pedestrians or other drivers.”

Autoblog, however, raises another possibility. “It could also be that due to the brand’s subconscious negative baggage that police officers are more likely to give Hummer drivers a ticket than a warning.”

No explanation seems to link the other vehicles on the most-ticketed list. The Scion tC, xA and xB are all cited more often than most cars, which may simply be true because those vehicles are popular with younger drivers. But the Toyota Solara? The Subaru Outback? We have absolutely no idea why anyone would speed in those.

If the news has you thinking of a smaller ride, keep in mind that many automakers have opened 2009 with heavy discounts. Research the best car deals with U.S. News’ car rankings and reviews.