Getting out of a speeding ticket is a skill that many, if not most, drivers would like to have. After all, there are few experiences in life so instantly anxiety-inducing as the moment a driver notices those flashing lights in the rear-view mirror, especially when knowing exactly why the police officer is there.
Yet people often hear tales of others who have gotten out of tickets, avoiding having to pay a fine or other consequence as a result. Some seem especially prone to being tickets, but is there anything someone can do to increase the likelihood of avoiding a ticket? Fortunately, there are a few general guidelines that can be kept in mind.
Positive First Impression
The first moment of interaction with the cop is notably value, with the driver’s behavior contributing to the officer’s reaction, intention, motivation, and inclination. When pulled over, a driver should pull over as soon and as courteously as possible, then remain calm and polite with policing personnel.
Any signs of anxiety or strange behavior is only going to cause suspicion, and questioning or even outright arguing with the officer is a terrible idea for reasons that should be within the realm of common sense. A quick, friendly, positive interaction may indeed prove to be the subconscious catalyst that sways the officer into not serving a ticket.
Relentless Honesty
A speeder should not lie. Although it may seem like a good idea to concoct a great story, or fib a little on the estimated speed, or lie about other aspects of the situation, the reality is that the benefits of these dishonesties will never outweigh the consequence to a lie being discovered. In other words, if the officer figures out the driver is lying, which is likely, than the situation only becomes worse.
Record Consistency
It may be too obvious to say that the best way to get out of a speeding ticket, or to avoid it altogether, is to simply not speed. However, this truth hits on a valuable idea nonetheless; by adopting safe driving habits, it reflects better on a driver’s record and can more likely appeal to an officer weighing his or her options. A driver should also keep in mind the potential to appeal for previous tickets to be removed from their records.
In the end, though, there is no 100%-guaranteed way to avoid getting a speeding ticket once a driver is actually pulled over. There is no magic trick, no secret police code, no effective way to flirt, and no promises. But adopting a safe, positive, responsible attitude that shows respect to an officer may result with respect in return.