Cop Stop! What to do:

[lurker]

Posted on Sun, Oct. 30, 2005



Tips for avoiding speed tickets




The National Motorists Association offers the following information on possible ways to avoid getting a speeding ticket from local law enforcement agents. The association warns that the information is not legal advice but merely tips.

Before going out on the road - Make sure your car at least looks good. The idea to remember is if the car looks good, it appears that the owner is a responsible person. If an officer has to choose between a white 1988 Olds Cutlass going 75 that's in good condition and a white 1988 Olds Cutlass going 75 that is missing a rear bumper, has blown-out lights, and maybe several dents, guess who is getting the ticket? We don't mean showroom condition, just one that shows reasonable care has been given to it. The point here is: Don't give the police any more reasons to look at and/or stop you.

Check your lights. Perhaps the most overlooked yet cheapest items are your lights. Take a walk around your car at night. Make sure all of the lights work, even the $2 license plate lights. In most cases, the only tool needed is a screwdriver. Don't rely on colored tape to act as a permanent replacement for a brake light or turn signal lens. Spend the money and get the real thing. At least the money you pay the parts store is going to some worthy entity, not a government charity as it would if it was spent on a ticket.

Clean the car. Wash it occasionally and vacuum the inside. Papers, maps, fast-food wrappers, and whatnot scattered around do not impress the officer at your side.

Remove all stickers. If it says "Mafia staff car - keepa you hands off," you'll get stopped by the only Italian officer in the county. The officer will not be impressed, nor will he be if it says "Insured by Smith & Wesson."

Stickers for the Police Benevolant Association or similar organizations aren't likely to get you out of a ticket. Why? About the only reason people have them is to get out of speeding tickets! Everyone knows that. Plus, the officer that stopped you may have a grievance against the union (These organizations are also unions in some areas). And, the agency you paid for the sticker may not represent the officer at your side.

When you're on the roadDon't stand out. If you are moving faster than the surrounding traffic, weaving, cutting across three lanes at once or do anything to cause another motorist to use his or her horn, you are a prime candidate for a ticket.

Stay in the right lane. This is related to the previous comment about not being obvious. Not only is this good driving practice, it is good ticket-avoidance practice too. There's a psychological element here; if you're in the left lane, you must be speeding. Note that the left lane is sometimes called the "fast" lane.

Radar can't tell which vehicle is speeding. But if an officer sees you passing another vehicle, the radar gun's readout will be written on your ticket. By passing that vehicle, you provided a visual frame of reference.

Use your eyes. Don't place blind faith in a radar detector; doing so is a good way to get a pacing or vascar ticket, and detectors are less effective in light traffic due to instant-on radar.

Scan the road as far ahead as possible. This is not only good accident-avoidance practice, it will alert you to the presence of unusual items. You'll see cars parked in medians or on entrance/exit ramps, brake lights going on as you approach a turn, or another motorist flashing his headlights at the oncoming traffic. You'll have time to slow down and avoid the speed trap.

Use your mirrors. This is similar to what we just described. Is a car rapidly approaching? It could be an officer on an "silent" emergency call - or an officer trying to catch up to you. Did the trooper you just saw leaving the Interstate get back on again? Stay in the right lane and turn on your car's halo until the suspicious car is no longer a problem.

Watch the trucks. Remember, truckers are professional drivers and many get paid on a per-mile basis. Therefore, the more miles a trucker can cover in a shorter period of time, the more money he or she will make. If they are maintaining Boy Scout-like compliance with the speed limit, something is amiss and you should be wary.

The weather makes a difference in police activity. Would you rather get out of your warm, dry car when it's raining or would you rather do it on a sunny day? Radar works in all kinds of weather, but radar operators would rather not. If it's 10 degrees outside, most officers would rather stay in their warm car than chase one person who's driving safely but illegally at 75 mph.

Sometimes though, even the best avoidance maneuvers don't work.

If you know the officer is after you

Unless otherwise directed, pull over to the right shoulder as soon as you can. Going to the left shoulder is asking for one unhappy officer since the left shoulder exposes both you and him to the path of passing vehicles. His job is dangerous enough as it is, don't make it worse. Pull as far off as possible. (If you're on the right shoulder, traffic can easily move to the left. If you're on the left shoulder, traffic cannot safely move to the right. Plus, re-entering traffic is much easier done from the right side, for the same reasons.)

If it's at night and the police car is unmarked, you may want to continue on to a lighted area. Most officers won't have a problem with that. Also, turn on the dome light.

Put both hands on the steering wheel and wait for the officer to arrive next to your door. He has no idea if you're armed, an escaped ex-convict, or just an average person.

Keep movement in the car to a minimum; he can see your movements but doesn't know what you're doing. Are you hiding a gun? Putting away a radar detector? Make his job easier and you can only benefit.

When speaking to the officer, don't insert "Sir" or "Ma'am" after every word. Cops call that "bootlicking." Conversely, calling the officer by his rank or title, like "Sergeant" or "Deputy" is not disrespectful if used sparingly. But, only refer to them this way if you're absolutely sure of their rank or title.

Although most people want to be honest, don't volunteer self-incriminating information. When the officer asks "Do you know how fast you were going?" or something similar, just say "yes" or "I was driving at the speed of traffic" (if true) and leave it at that. But if there's a valid reason for your conduct, such as a medical emergency, say so.

When the officer asks for your license and registration, tell him it's in the glove box (if it is), then ask if it's okay to open it. Leave it open so he can see in. Again, reduce his apprehension about the situation. However, if it's in a console between the seats, ask before opening, but close it when you're done. It's too easy for you to reach back inside and get a weapon.

Do not argue or plead your case. The roadside is never the place to conduct a hearing. To do so is a guaranteed losing situation, and all you'll do is get your story added to the cop's list of "Ten Best Excuses." Cops enforce, courts decide.

Remember that officers are usually not required to show you the readout on the radar gun (for their safety and yours.)

Be inconspicuous. If you make a fuss, the officer is more likely to remember you when you go to trial. That's bad, you want to be as forgettable as possible.

Keep your copy of the ticket!

If your speed was recorded on radar or some other speed measurement device, you should request the make, model and serial number of the device and the serial number of the calibration instrument (for radar, the tuning forks). Some of this information may already be on the ticket. However, only ask for this information after the officer has given you the ticket.

Note the make and license plate of the officer's car. Also look for ID numbers on the sides.

Do not voluntarily agree to a search of your car. If the officer has to ask for permission, it is very likely that he does not have probable cause or reasonable suspicion to believe you have something illegal. If he had probable cause or reasonable suspicion, he would not need to ask you.

When you've parted company, go back to your car and make notes of the situation. Amount of traffic, weather, time, officer's demeanor, etc. No detail or event is unimportant, you will forget them later when you need to know. It is a good idea to draw a map of the area, including trees, signs, buildings, etc. You may need that later.

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© 2005 Wichita Eagle and wire service sources. All Rights Reserved.
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[DCPD171]

Lurker,

As an officer, i commend you on your apparent respect for the officers and their job.

however, i want to point out only one thing with your post.....

In your Post "Remember that officers are usually not required to show you the readout on the radar gun (for their safety and yours.)...

you should leave out the word usually. Information only, there is no law or statute stating that an officer is required to show you the radar. I can only speak for myself in saying that if a person i have stopped asks to see my radar unit, my answer depends upon #1) their attitude towards me and the stop, and #2) any dangers such as other traffic. if the stop is on 14th my answer will probably be politely "no" with short explination. if the person is rude, obnoxious, or insultive towards me, then my reply would be "you may subpeona the records for the radar into court".

I am also not sure about the your comments regarding how dirty the car is and so on but i guess it could be possible. i know that is not a factor that i use, but still could be used by some.

DCPD171

[Highwayman]

Please note the Lurker’s post was not his own information and was referenced to The Wichita Eagle.

Thank you officer.

[Flying Dutchman]

A dirty car sticks out. When approached, if the inside of the car looks like a garbage dump it raises the officer's suspicion. I did notice that nowhere in the post did it say "Obey the traffic laws". I would think that would be important.

I would normally issue a ticket to somebody if they told me why i pulled them over. Example: "Do you know why I pulled you over?" "Because I was speeding." If they knew they were speeding (depending on the excess, location, and other factors) then they deserved the ticket because they knew they were in the wrong.

[Wildcat12]

I was told that since radar units can't tell which vehicle is speeding, it is automatically assumed that it is the larger vehicle that is speeding. Is this true and if so, is it because the larger vehicle stands out against a smaller vehicle or is it because a radar unit reads the speed of the largest vehicle? An example being a Ford Explorer and a Cavalier going the exact speed.

[Detector]

I've got a question. At what speed below the speed limit does it become obstructing the flow of traffic?

Nothing cooks my cabbage worse than that old fart with the retired tag driving 15 in a 30. I realize they may feel their life is over and they're in no hurry to be anywhere, but some of us still have a schedule.

I think if you can't drive the speed limit safely you shouldn't be driving at all.

Worst of all are those inconsiderate jerks that run the stop sign on a side road just so they can get in front of you on the main road only to drive 10mph below the limit.

[lurker]

It always amazes me when someone tells about being warned instead of ticketed and what circumstances surround the incident. I'm nearing the age Detector wrote about and not in a hurry to sit at the next stoplight.

Thanks Highway for your clairification on my behalf. Additionally, the first paragraph states:

The National Motorists Association offers the following information on possible ways to avoid getting a speeding ticket from local law enforcement agents. The association warns that the information is not legal advice but merely tips.

[Tee]

I have heard that slow traffic (impeders) cause more accidents than speeders - although I am not sure of any stats on the subject.

Also- I always ask to see the radar and only once did the officer not allow me to see it. The judge (Jay Don Reynolds) reprimanded the officer in court for not allowing me to see it. Subsequently, the charge was thrown out. I recommend that, if you have a cell phone with a cam on it, to snap a pic of the readout for court.

The radar shows both the target vehicles speed and the patrol speed. I have NEVER looked at a radar and found the officer to be within the speed limit. Everytime, I have found him to be speeding as well. The courts usually don't look fondly on an officer writing tickets while speeding himself. Further, cops will usually write a higher amount on the ticket than what is locked into the radar. Most officers will try and explain this by a momentary rise in speed on your part but this can also be attributed to other vehicles and interference. Having evidence that contradicts the officers testimoney as to your speed can also help your case.

Note that standard radar can NOT distinguish between several vehicles in it's huge swath pattern. Only a laser (lidar) can do that, because if its pinpoint reflective signal, therefore in heavy trafffic, most radars are very inaccurate.

[TexKan]

Well I just want to weigh in here... I haven't ever been stopped that I wasn't doing something wrong. Honest!! I don't ask to see the radar - If I'm getting that "butterfly" feeling and liftin my foot off the gas - truth is I was speeding. The speed limit is POSTED. There is not a "grace" - it is what it is - anything over that is speeding. I take my chances and have run 85 and 90 on the freeway and had officers pass me by - but the one time I was stopped in DC. I didn't have to ask why I was stopped - I knew. I took my ticket - the officer told me how to contest but I told him don't bother - my son and DIL are both cops and if I were doing 43 in a 30 - they too would have pulled me over. I just wasn't payin attention. I went down the next day and paid the fine. End of story. Course I feel like that because I have this strong conviction of "right and wrong". Don't know why everyone nowdays can't just play by the rules and quit trying to "beat the system". LURKER I knew there was sumthin I liked bout you!! LOL LOL My son says if he has to get out of the car - there is a reason. He's not as nice as my DIL - she will hit the lights to tell you to slow down then check your speed as you pass her. They have radar that checks forward and backward here.
My DIL does look at the car - 9 times out of 10 if it's a wreck they have no insurance. She doesn't stop based on that but it's awful easy to find an infraction with some car that is a wreck anyhow. Course we got lots more wrecks than ya'll do based on the mere # of folks livin here. Bottom line for me is - I know the rules - it's my choice if I follow them and if I don't and get caught then I need to be big enough to "make the payment" That attitude has kept my "wrong doing" to a real minimum. If you ever have the chance - just spend a few hours on a ride along - it will open up your eyes

[justme]

Tee you know just enough about radar to be dangerous. I submit that I know more. I have been a cop for over twenty years and have testified to the use of radar both as an operator and radar certifier. In my 20 plus years I have never written a ticket for a higher speed than I have locked on my radar,,,, but I have on many, many ocasions not locked the speed on to make sure the speed I observed is indeed that of the vehicle that I believe it to be. There is absolutely nothing in kansas law that requires the speeds to be locked in. Are there errors in speeding tickets?? Of course, there are operator errors in everything... The newest radars are extremely accurate and tested daily.

As far as letting people see my radar, sure if they are polite and it is not dangerous to do so. If they are confrontational.....not on your life, you will sit right there in the drivers seat where I can control your actions.

I have seen you in court, and I have seen you made look very silly. If you feel you get an unjustified ticket, by all means take it to court, but don't try to make it look like your smarter than the cops, becuase your not. You claim to be a law abiding citizen and have been wronged, then why the use of a radar detector?... which only purpose is to help you break the law.

If anyone is reading this post thinking Tee is giving good information,, your sorely wrong and need to talk to an attorney or a cop that is friendly, there are plenty of us out there, who will tell you the real truth.