How to Avoid Getting a Ticket when Caught Speeding

You've just been pulled by a police officer for speeding. Is there any chance you can avoid getting a ticket? Possibly. How you behave from the moment you see the officer's lights is noted by the officer and has an impact on what happens next.

First, slow down safely and cautiously, and pull on to the shoulder of the road immediately. If the officer has to follow you for a long time before you pull over, that will count against you. Be sure to use your turn signal so you don't get an additional item on the ticket.

If the road has not safe place to pull over, look for the nearest parking lot. If you are in a dark and unpopulated area where you don't feel safe pulling over, put on your hazard lights and signal that you will pull over as soon as it's safe. In some states, you can call a special number on your cell phone to contact the dispatcher for the police, sheriff, or highway patrol. Tell the dispatcher why you are not pulling over and ask him or her to relay this information to the officer following you.

Once you've stopped, remain calm. Stay in your car unless the officer tells you to step out. If you are jittery and jump right out of the car, the officer will assume there's a reason for concern. Police officers work in a dangerous environment and are wary of being attacked by agitated drivers.

Do not move around in your car and reach for your registration and driver's license. The officer will not be able to tell what you are doing, and may assume that you are looking for a weapon. Keep your hands on the wheel in the ten-and-two position and wait for the officer to approach you. Then be sure the car is park, put down your window, and wait for instructions.

When you are speaking to the officer, its very important to remain calm. Be polite and courteous. If you speak rudely or give the officer "lip," there is no chance of avoiding a ticket.

Once the officer asks for your license, registration, and proof of insurance, get them out promptly. Always know exactly where to find these items so you don't have to search around the car for them. These items should always be up to date. If you make the process as smooth as possible, you are more likely to receive a warning instead of a ticket.

Next, the officer will probably ask you if you know why he (or she) pulled you over. If you admit to speeding, the ticket for $150 to $200 will almost certainly follow. Wait politely and calmly for the officer to tell you why you were pulled over. It the officer pulled you over for a broken tail light, and you say you were going 80 in a 65 zone, you'll be getting a ticket for sure. You don't know why the officer pulled you over until he tells you.

Once the officer says you were pulled over for speeding, what should you say? If you say, "Yes, I was speeding" you have admitted the offense and will probably get a ticket. If you deny it, the officer probably won't believe you and a tense atmosphere will develop. You'll certainly get a ticket, (although if you decide to fight the ticket in court, the officer won't be able to tell the judge that you admitted to speeding).

The best answer is a non-answer, like "I understand" or "I see." If you have a plausible excuse, like you are taking someone to the hospital or some other emergency, the officer will probably understand that you weren't aware of how fast you were going. Don't make up an elaborate story, however. Whatever you think of, the officer has probably heard it more. You don't want the officer to think of you as a liar.

Of course, you're best chance of avoiding a ticket is not to speed in the first place. But if you do get pulled over by a law enforcement officer, try to remember these tips. The most important one, of course, is to be polite and respectful at all times. This is the best way to help the officer to want to let you off with a warning.