Confusing the cops

[Templar]

Don't ever admit fault. Most of the time just be polite, accept the lecturing or whatever it was. When they pull the, "Do you know how fast you were going?" or "Do you know what I pulled you over for?" Just say, "I didn't realize." Don't say anything else. Be polite and respectful. Your chances of getting a warning instead of a ticket are pretty good.

They remember the ones that give them a hard time. Most of the time, if you take it to court, a lawyer is just going to enter a plea bargain for you anyway to get a lesser penalty. Cops usually do their day in court for all of the tickets that people are fighting. Changing dates and requesting extensions makes them happy, because they usually take it and get overtime to do it! You are giving them more money in the end...

As a side note, they do not have to show you the radar/laser gun. So asking for proof is probably just going to piss them off. Just don't admit fault directly though by saying, "I know I was speeding" or something. Just say you don't know or didn't realize (the better option). Makes you seem much less confrontational. If you come off sincere they might think you really just didn't realize that you were speeding a bit and might be more lenient. Something to consider anyway

[hks786]

Originally Posted by middleagedhippie

Yea, I learned my lesson here. Stopped for going 25 in a zone 15. The cop had no radar detector and he started lecturing me, told him I would challenge the ticket, told me he never lost yet in Court. . . told him "get ready".

Went to Court armed with Statutes about Radar Dectors, blah, blah, blah. Claimed that there was a trainee on the job who DID have a Radar Dector who tagged me going at 25. Judge withheld adjudication, so no points, but still had to pay the fine.

I've learned being arrogant with a cop is not worth it. Several times I have gotten warnings only by keeping my mouth shut and being civil. And if you are arrogant, they will note it and make sure they show up in court which normally greatly reduces your chances of success.

^^ That's crazy! Over here in some ways its not as bad. Like I said if I know they don't have radar proof. They are screwed. Similarly, if they have forgotten to calibrate their device before they laser you they can't use it as proof. Yeah you're right though for the most part it's better to play ball. They might let you off.

[persian54]

Originally Posted by DARK_M3

I'm of the same exact mindset. I've never met a person who didn't exceed the speed limit on a daily basis.

Never.

I don't exceed it..........



on days I don't drive

[KIS]

When a cops asks, "do you know how fast your were going", I always answer that I was driving responsibly and smile. I average about 50/50 on tickets to warnings. Never admit fault, and never act the dick.

[saeedg48]

10 over, bring it to court

[DARK_M3]

Originally Posted by KIS

When a cops asks, "do you know how fast your were going", I always answer that I was driving responsibly and smile. I average about 50/50 on tickets to warnings. Never admit fault, and never act the dick.

Technically you are supposed to say "I was driving a safe and reasonable speed given the current traffic and weather conditions."

That's the script. Don't deviate. I would elaborate but I don't want to go off topic about how to beat traffic tix.

[Chemicals]

Anyone consider becoming a COP so you can learn how to get out of things, know the lingo etc. for the local area, and know all the cops? Just quit after a certain time period so you are able to name drop etc. and put some cheesy stupid cop sticker on your car.

It's probably in the art of war somewhere that it is good to know your enemies. What better way than by becoming one of them, learning all the speed traps, etc. for your given city. Few months of paid work max for a lifetime's speeding payout (if you love your city I guess).

[Mr. ///M3 RD]

You all have seen my story before when the State Trooper was hiding behind this big oak tree with his radar gun .... Along comes this nice blonde lady in her e93 top down hair flying all over the place ... yes you guessed it she was speeding

Naturally the nice State Trooper stopped her,

State Trooper to Lady "I've been waiting for you all day"

Lady to State Trooper "Officer I came as fast as I could" with a smile

Naturally the Trooper broke out in

and once he recovered let her go with a warning

[BeamingE39]

I would hate to live in Houston. In California I can do 75-80 in a 65 right next to highway patrol and they don't care. In my experience if your driving a classy car in a safe manner CHP only care if your doing upwards of 90 or higher.

[M3maniac20]

I've gotten lectures and tickets. it sucks.

[yoelev]

if you're going to speed, do it in the right lane. clear the left, move over, do your thing. that way when you get pulled over you have a ready excuse (that is probably true in the first place)

[IFX]

Originally Posted by M3maniac20

I've gotten lectures and tickets. it sucks.

This made me laugh for some reason.. lol

[ec_E92]

Be polite, courteous, keep your hands at 10-2 (visible for the trooper approaching your car) and you'll be amazed at what you can get away with. Even if you have to take a slice of humble pie, sure beats a fine and insurance hike.

In Chicagoland area if you are pulled over they sometimes take your ID. To get it back you have to pay your ticket. If you're arrogant they staple it to your paperwork thru your eyes on your picture, and then you're screwed anytime you have to show your ID to law enforcement, unwritten code!

[tibra1]

I am thinking he could've been an M//-phile...and possibly let u off with a warning..but now you will never know

[redline9001]

Originally Posted by Alter Peter

You all have seen my story before when the State Trooper was hiding behind this big oak tree with his radar gun .... Along comes this nice blonde lady in her e93 top down hair flying all over the place ... yes you guessed it she was speeding

Naturally the nice State Trooper stopped her,

State Trooper to Lady "I've been waiting for you all day"

Lady to State Trooper "Officer I came as fast as I could" with a smile

Naturally the Trooper broke out in

and once he recovered let her go with a warning

Hey I think this needs a ticket....

Same joke in two different speeding threads in a week

[LucWerkz]

I typically just put on a accent and act really scared/confused....

But anyways every time I get pulled over I don't get a lecture, just a ticket. I've never gotten warnings even though every time I've been polite and respectful to the police officer. But I do live in the great state of Virginia where tickets are pretty much how cops/city officials get paid.

[boothguy]

Originally Posted by Chemicals

Anyone consider becoming a COP so you can learn how to get out of things, know the lingo etc. for the local area, and know all the cops? Just quit after a certain time period so you are able to name drop etc. and put some cheesy stupid cop sticker on your car.

It's probably in the art of war somewhere that it is good to know your enemies. What better way than by becoming one of them, learning all the speed traps, etc. for your given city. Few months of paid work max for a lifetime's speeding payout (if you love your city I guess).

You make it sound lilke going to work as a sworn member of law enforcement is about as tough as getting a job a McDonald's. Procedures vary stae-by-state, but in general, you first have to apply to attend the Police Academy, pass a battery of mental/psych tests, be accepted by a department who is committing to hire you after you graduate, wait for the next class to form, get your ass kicked physically and mentally for six months, and if you don't wash out, start at the lowest rung in that department/agency, generally being the slot nobody else wants. And in general, you have to show your badge/departmental ID to get a pass on a speeding ticket.

[-Ryan-]

Somewhere on a cop message board there is some cop writing, I pulled over this BMW and I was just going to let him go with a warning then he told me to give him a ticket. You should of seen the bewildered look on my face.

[Chemicals]

Originally Posted by boothguy

You make it sound lilke going to work as a sworn member of law enforcement is about as tough as getting a job a McDonald's. Procedures vary stae-by-state, but in general, you first have to apply to attend the Police Academy, pass a battery of mental/psych tests, be accepted by a department who is committing to hire you after you graduate, wait for the next class to form, get your ass kicked physically and mentally for six months, and if you don't wash out, start at the lowest rung in that department/agency, generally being the slot nobody else wants. And in general, you have to show your badge/departmental ID to get a pass on a speeding ticket.

For some people, it is preety easy. I'm an officer in the military, I'm sure I'd be able to do it and I think it might be an interesting experience for a year or so. I'm currently in Afghanistan and M3post is a good time killer when I'm not swamped with other stuff..

Also, my neighbor had a plethora of exotic cars. He had a Ford GT, 2 Gallardos, a bently continental gt, a bunch of other insane cars. THis guy daily drove a "Deputy" lexus ISF with police style markings all over it. Anyone have any insight on if being a deputy or constable or whatever it is would work on speeding tickets? How much of a commitment is something like that? I am fairly sure this guy did that work for a hobby/excuse to speed. If my ticket avoidance system was a part time volunteer job that allows me to paint up my car police style, I think that would be hilarious/trollish/fun for a time period.

I know people will say "pull the military bretheren civil servants card bs" but honestly it has never worked for me and I have tried 3 variants of it.

[MysticBlue]

Originally Posted by mrkbbd

M3 = no warning

I've gotten by far more warnings than tickets.
Respect and common courtesy go a long way. So do a current license, current insurance and current registration and a driver who is not under the influence.
Both Windows rolled down and license, reg, and insurance in hand, hands in sight on the wheel. Interior lights on.
"Hi Officer" I'm calm, pleasant. I drive faster than the average citizen, so I'm going to get a speeding ticket once in awhile. No big deal. He's just doing his job.
"Do you know why I pulled you over?" This is not jus small talk. Everything they say has a purpose.
"No, not really. Maybe I was going a little too fast?" That's vague enough to not be an admission.
"I got you going 83 in a 65 zone"
"Hmm, I didn't think I was going that fast. I took it off cruise control to get past some trucks, then didn't put it back on."
Again, I'm vague enough to not technically be admitting to knowingly speeding, without being confrontational or argumentative.
I get on average 1 ticket every two years, which I just consider part of the cost of doing business, but get away with a lot more warnings. And none of them have ever said a word about my tint, or no front plate.

[whats77inaname]

Hmmmmmmmmmm....when I get pulled over for speeding and they ask me if I know how fast I was going, I casually tell them, "No, but I was getting in some dry runs for my attempts to break the sound barrier. Was I getting close?"

[hks786]

Lol. The difference here is about who pulls you over. If its just police they have no speed gun so you don't need to sweat it, but if its traffic cops you are screwed. They check tyres, tints, insurance, tax, basically everything. They are very thorough. Now they even pull you over to do random emissions test on your exhaust! I remember once a friend got a £60 fine for having no fluid for windscreen.