How to Avoid the Traffic Ticket

According to the FBI.GOV 2006 statistics, 57 police officers were killed in the nation, during traffic related duties: 36 from auto accidents, 13 were struck and killed by cars, and 8 were killed during pursuits or traffic stops. We all know that cars are inherently dangerous, so I preface this article with this; the police don't know who you are when you get pulled over, so abiding by these following rules just might get you "Lucky!"

First of all, you never know what officer is going to pull you over... You have the motor officer (Good luck on that one). You have the officer who doesn't write a lot of tickets but you did something so egregious that they had to pull you over. There's the motivated gun-slinger who is just using your violation to find something else that you are not supposed to have. Or, the crusty old or brand new "Boot" who could go either way.

Here are the easy steps that could lead the officer to say, "I'm just going to give you a warning today."

1. Pull over as soon as you can safely do so; Always pull to the right.

2. Lower ALL windows (This might even help with those tinted windows that you have).
3. Keep your hands on the steering wheel. (Resist the urge to reach for belongings until told to do so by the officer).

4. Turn the radio off.

5. Be respectful. The first phrase out of your mouth should NOT be, "Don't you have anything better to do," or "Is there a DONUT shop nearby." These phrases will all but guarantee a ticket. Officers will generally show you more respect than you give them. Imagine if no respect is shown there way...

6. Go ahead, be nice! I can't tell you how many times I did not write the ticket because I couldn't image citing such a nice person.

7. Admit to wrongdoing. Come on, you did something wrong or else you wouldn't have the black and white with the red light behind you. When the officer asks, "Do you know why I pulled you over?" An appropriate response could be, "Yes, I think I may have been speeding." You don't have to pull a Jim Carrey in the movie Liar, Liar, and tell the officer about every violation of the day, but you could acknowledge something. Remember, you may be pulled over for a registration or equipment violation, so, if you were driving safely, you can say, "I think that I was driving safely, I'm not sure why you pulled me over."

8. Use a hands free phone... this might just keep you from getting pulled over in the first place.

9. Also, know where your car registration and insurance paperwork is in the car. I can't tell you how many people don't even know what their registration looks like.

10. If you are given a ticket, after the charm has failed, you must sign and accept the ticket. The time and the forum to argue the ticket is later, and in a court of law, not at the scene. Failure to sign the ticket gets you a first class trip to jail. Remember, by signing the ticket, you are merely promising to appear, and not admitting to guilt.

To close, Officers don't know who you are when they pull you over. At times, the initial contact may seem bellicose, but I assure you, it is because they don't know you. Abiding by these steps doesn't guarantee that a ticket won't be issued, but they certainly increase the chances to get "Lucky!" Remember that a ticket is not a punishment, but rather a reminder to make driving your priority. If you do anything else besides drive your car, you are more likely to put yourself in the position to hear the dreaded words, "Do you know why I pulled you over today?"