How to Get Out of a Speeding Ticket!?!

A couple months back I met and had lunch with 3-time Indy 500 driver Jack Miller. He has been pulled over 20+ times in the last 15 years and gave me this advice to get out of a ticket:

1) Pull over immediately and roll your window down 1/2 way. DO NOT go digging for your license and reg. Place your hands on top of the steering wheel where they can be seen from behind. If you have passengers, have them place their hands where they can be seen (ie: on the dash or on the seat in front of them--don't just raise them like criminals!)

2)When asked for your Lic and reg, tell the officer what you are doing before you do it, and that you have no weapons. (ie: "I am going to reach into my glove box now and get out my registration, I do not have any weapons of any kind in there")

3)Admit guilt and don't make excuses. Tell him/her how fast you were going and apologize. Tell them you have a good driving record, you made a mistake, and ASK POLITELY for a written warning.

4)While you are getting out your lic and reg, say something like: "My brother in law is a state cop in ____(another state), and he's really going to bust my chops for this when I see him at _____(upcoming holiday)"

I have yet to try it, but Jack claimed it works every time and he has not gotten a single ticket since he has employed this philosophy. Thought y'all might find it interesting.

Let me know if any of you have occasion to try it...I'm anxious to see if it works!

Nick.

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Nick Shumaker
1982 911SC Coupe
nickshu@yahoo.com
PCA -- Rocky Mtn. Region

In Hawaii we say, "eh, you know my uncle(or other relative), yeah?"

Note: Works only in small areas where cops know every other cop.

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Jeff
1976 911S

Good advice, however I don't think it's wise to state how fast you were going. Rather, I'd say something to the effect of "I know I was speeding". Before I started doing this, I received a ticket that read "OSS 75" which I soom realized stood for operator stated speed: 75 mph. I went to court to fight it and the judge said "OK, you were clocked at 75, you stated to the officer that you were going 75... and why are you here to fight this ticket? Admitting guilt without a figure is much safer since
a) you might have clocked slower than you think, and
b) you have more wiggle room in front of the judge

Also, in court be sure to refer to police as officers and not cops. Many judges feel that the word cop is disrespectful.

[This message has been edited by MonkeyBoy (edited 05-07-2001).]

I thought the admission of guilt part was a little too much too. Let me know if you get the chance to try it!

Nick.

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Nick Shumaker
1982 911SC Coupe
nickshu@yahoo.com
PCA -- Rocky Mtn. Region

Admitting guilt in this case is more like showing remorse and also understanding for what the officer is doing. This does not have to include a statement of exactly what you were doing. An apology or statement of remorse is not going to hurt you in court! The usual question is, "Do you know how fast you were going?" Apologize, but not specifically, and throw a question back at the officer, "Gosh, what did you clock me at?" Then you will know how deep you are in.
You are being very truthful because you don't know if your speedo calibration is correct or exactly how fast the rest of the traffic was going. Remember that the officer is probably very qualified at what he does and he is trying to do his job the best he knows how. The last thing you want to do is be a thorn in his side. Technically, his job is to see that the law is followed and protect the citizenry. If he thinks that you will follow the law as a result of his stop, he has performed the duty of a police officer. If you don't display your remorse, then he will probably determine that he did not get your attention and further action is needed. In court, your tact should be to not call him a lier or incompetent at any point, but to use the law, common sense, and his testomony to your advantage.

Diverdan

Diverdan

Hi Guys, let me share some opinions from the other side of the pen! I used to be on the roads but I'm now on the water writing tickets for speeding boats among other things, but the principles are the same.

Attitude is everything, slightest hint of anymosity, rudeness, bravado, indifference, or being a smart arse will severely reduce your chances of a caution.

Don't ask for a caution (it may indicate that you have tried this before and therefore do it regularly).

DON'T drop names, very uncool. The copper probably won't know your friend/relative, but if he does it may well embarass your friend/relative in front of his/her work mates.

Admit or don't admit your alleged offence, it doesn't matter. If I relied on offenders telling me the truth just to prove my case then I'd never make a good copper. A copper does not pull you over just for the fun of it, there will be a reason. HOWEVER being honest makes a HUGE difference. Your CREDIBILITY soars in the mind of an officer that spends all day hearing "I don't know what you are talking about!" or "That's bull****, I was not!" Your candid honesty will be a breath of fresh air and possibly stun the copper!

Lastly, be an adult about it. You are driving a fabulous car that's capable of so much more than other cars. A decision to speed is a conscious one (you know it is) You take your chances on the road when you make these decisions. Cop it sweet!

Yes I have been booked lately, no I didn't show my badge (not worth the hassle if it turns out to be a an internal affairs set up)I knew what I was doing when I decided to do it. 127 kph in a 100 kph zone

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John Forcier
69 911T

Sorry!

[This message has been edited by Fishcop (edited 05-08-2001).]

I have a small "courtesy badge" on the inside of my wallet that says I'm a sergeant in the small local police force. (Actually, what it's intended to signify is not that I'm a sergeant but that a sergeant gave it to me, which indeed is the case.) It's never done me a bit of good. "My brother-in-law's on the job..." I say when I show it. Big deal, the cop usually says.

Stephan

Nick
Check out this site for expansion on the theme. Some of the language is, uh, rather colorful , but there are some interesting thoughts!

http://www.ehowa.com/nospeeding.html

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Bob
1982 911SC Targa
PCA - Founders Region

Nick
Check out this site for expansion on the theme. Some of the language is, uh, rather colorful , but there are some interesting thoughts!

http://www.ehowa.com/nospeeding.html

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Bob
1982 911SC Targa
PCA - Founders Region

A police officer pulls a guy over for speeding and has the
following exchange:

Officer:
May I see your driver's license?

Driver:
I don't have one. I had it suspended when I got my 5th DUI.

Officer:
May I see the owner's card for this vehicle?

Driver:
It's not my car. I stole it.

Officer:
The car is stolen?

Driver:
That's right. But come to think of it, I think I saw the owner's
card in the glove box when I was putting my gun in there.

Officer:
There's a gun in the glove box?

Driver:
Yes sir. That's where I put it after I shot and killed the woman
who owns this car and stuffed her in the trunk.

Officer:
There's a BODY in the TRUNK?!?!?

Driver:
Yes, sir.

Hearing this, the officer immediately called his captain. The car
was quickly surrounded by police, and the captain approached
the driver to handle the tense situation:

Captain:
Sir, can I see your license?

Driver:
Sure. Here it is.

It was valid.

Captain:

Who's car is this?


Driver:
It's mine, officer. Here's the owner' card.

The driver owned the car.

Captain:
Could you slowly open your glove box so I can see if there's
a gun in it?

Driver:
Yes, sir, but there's no gun in it.

Sure enough, there was nothing in the glove box.

Captain:
Would you mind opening your trunk? I was told you said
there's a body in it.

Driver:
No problem.

Trunk is opened; no body.

Captain:
I don't understand it. The officer who stopped you said you
told him you didn't have a license, stole the car, had a gun in
the glovebox, and that there was a dead body in the trunk.

Driver:
Yeah, I'll bet the lying s.o.b. told you I was speeding, too