Craig's Automotive Collision Center

Common Sense Rules for Avoiding a Speeding Ticket

It's the same road you travel down every day and night as you commute to and from your job. You know all too well that the speed limit is 35 mph, but you've been doing it at around 50 mph for a long time and now feel comfortable driving at that speed. The road is fairly straight and there is no one else on the road, but tonight brings you bad luck. Behind one of those big pine trees or a palm tree (depending on where you live) there is a police car waiting for you.

At Craig's Automotive Collision Center, we know that people make mistakes and speeding tickets either here in Spokane, WA or anywhere are never fun, so maybe this blog will be able to keep you from getting your next ticket.

To avoid that ticket, here are some suggestions:

Don’t admit to the traffic violation. If the officer asks you why you think you were pulled over, always say that you're unsure. If you are seemingly unaware of having done something illegal, they will be more inclined to let you go with simply a warning.

Don’t EVER flirt with the officer. Movies and TV shows might tell you that flirting with an officer will get you out of a ticket, but it's pure fantasy. One alleged cop wrote on Reddit that “it insults my integrity, and that is a guaranteed ticket as well.” So, don't flirt with the officer, because it reportedly does not work.

ABR: Always Be Respectful. Getting pulled over for a minor traffic infraction when on your way home or to an appointment is annoying. It can feel like the officer has personally taken out a vendetta against you. As a result, you’ll feel combative and want to argue against the ticket. If you appear disrespectful to the officer, he or she will write up a ticket without hesitation. In other words, just smile, use a neutral tone of voice and treat the officer in a professional manner.

Ask for a warning. After responding to the officer’s questions respectfully and showing them your license and registration, let them know that this isn’t typical driving behavior for you and ask for a warning. If you have been respectful of the officer and have engaged in good rapport, ask for a warning, it never hurts.

Smile and wave. If you’re speeding down the highway and spot a cop car, slow down your speed and smile and wave at the officer. There's a reason to do this according to the Thought Catalog, “waving at the officer will make them think that you’re acknowledging that you were driving too fast, and letting him know that you’re slowing down.”

Sources: AAA, Huffington Post and Reddit