How To Get Out of a Speeding Ticket
July 22, 2014 | in Defensive Driving Tips
Driving is the primary mode of transportation for most people in the country these days. And while it has many perks – being able to travel long distances in short amounts of time, moving fast while sitting still, being able to sing at the top of your lungs without being heard – one disadvantage is the money and trouble that it can cost you when you fall afoul of the rules.
Every driver dreads the sight of those flashing lights in their rear view mirror, but if you are smart, you can avoid them. Here are some of the best tips for avoiding traffic tickets.
1) Mind Your Surroundings
The police have no time for people who think they are Michael Schumacher. Safe driving is the number one way to avoid a ticket. If you never break road laws, then you never give a police officer a reason to pull you over–remember, they are not the “bad guys,” technically you are. Keep to the speed limit, be aware of changes, as well as the actions of drivers around you, and above all be patient. Many a driver has succumbed to road rage and ended up with a ticket thanks to their subsequent aggressive driving. Put on some relaxing music and chill out!
2) The Art of Camouflage
Sometimes when you’re running late, driving slow might not be an option, or you might not have had time to get your new safety and emissions test taken care of. In this case, there are a few ways you can increase your chances of a police officer passing you by. If you’re in a group of speeding cars, stick to the middle, and next time you are buying a car, reconsider that Ferrari and pick something a little less obvious instead. Vanity plates and bumper stickers could also attract unwanted attention.
3) Use Your Words
When you do get pulled over, as you will eventually, being nice is half the battle. There is a good chance that this is the police officer’s least favorite part of the job, and you yelling at him or her won’t make it any more pleasant–and it certainly won’t win you any points. Be sure not to admit to speeding/whatever the offence may be. They will often start by asking you if you know the reason for being pulled over, and answering “yes, I was speeding,” can count as an admission of guilt–thus making it harder for you to fight it in court. Be sure to still sign the ticket though!
DON’T BELIEVE THE MYTHS!
Myth 1: Slow Drivers Are Safe Drivers
Another trap that a lot of drivers fall into is believing the myths and urban legends that they hear about driving and tickets. First of all, don’t think that you’re safe as long as you are driving below the limit. There are a lot of extreme weather situations that require much slower driving, and if you are driving at the regular speed limit in heavy snow, for example, you’re likely to get pulled over for dangerous driving.
Myth 2: No Shoes, No Problem
Another common myth is that it’s illegal to drive barefoot. This is not the case in any states, nor is it a federal law. Unless there is a local ordinance, you’re probably fine to drive bare foot. So if you’re going out for the evening in 6-inch heels, you will probably drive a lot better in bare feet than in your shoes!
Myth 3: The Red Car Question
The last driving myth is that the color of your car matters. Whether your car is red, green, or brown, there is no correlation between car color and the number of times that it is pulled over. What does matter however, is the size of the car. Stick to those bigger, sensible cars to avoid that ticket.
When it comes down to it however, none of this really matters. You are going to be pulled over at least a couple of times in your lifetime as a driver, but if you follow the rules and drive defensively, you will find that it happens a lot less frequently, and your heart and wallet will thank you.
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