Here we'll attempt to provide some answers to these speeding ticket related questions below with practical advice based-upon our own experiences, that
of a retired police officer, and one expert who has even written a book dedicated to the subject
of how to beat a speeding ticket!
Wisdom
Over the years, I have learned to make the process of beating a speeding ticket. moving violation, or traffic citation as painless as possible for both myself and the traffic enforcement officer and realize, now, that police officers are like everyone else - in that they are often married and have children, have good work days and bad work days - and especially today - are sometimes confronted with life-threatening situations when engaged in issuing a speeding ticket.
Keeping this in mind, the steps one take during a pull-over can go a long way in keeping both tensions down to a minimum - which is essential to maximize your chances to successfully fight a speeding ticket, traffic citation, or moving violation.
Moral - make the situation the least confrontational as possible!
When initially pulled-over, keep both of your hands [and your passengers'] in plain view. In the driver's case either place them high on-top of the steering wheel or outside of your window.
This serves to let the approaching officer that you're not a potential threat. A number of officers have expressed sincere gratitude for taking their feelings into consideration.
If pulled over at night, turn the interior lights on so that officer can clearly see inside your vehicle. This will also serve to lesson tensions.
Be prepared with appropriate ID...its coming.
Do NOT be argumentative in your tone. With the latest
forms of police laser - LIDAR and radar - speeding ticket errors will be few.
If asked why stopped, don't lie or make up some excuse - they hear this all the time; don't be a whiner. Since answering in the affirmative to speeding is paramount to self incrimination - that's why they ask - kindly reply to the question with something like "with all do respect, doesn't answering your question open me up to self incrimination?" I have found that officers appreciate savvy drivers and as an added bonus the burden has been shifted back to the officer and a dialogue has begun, not and argument!
Once told, it pays to be familiar with the state/local moving violdation and traffic citation statutes.
Ask if the officer would be willing to cite a reduced statute on the speeding ticket. In PA, for example, a PA3111A is a catch-all moving violation that carries no points.
Remember that we're not asking to be given a 'break' on receiving a speeding ticket - they hear this all the time too. We're just asking for his/her consideration of citing a different statute with the traffic citation.
When the speeds are higher on your pending speeding ticket , suggest that you'll accept on the spot a traffic citation for a PA3111A and a seat-belt violation [which carries no points is PA]. This way, everybody gets what they want. The officer has violations/fines he/she can take back to the barracks and you have a reduced fine/penalty and no points!
Some states have "jurisprudence in abeyance," which is a fancy way of saying that your speeding ticket or traffic citation will be dropped if you don't receive another moving violation in some period thereafter.
They key to all of this is to avoid the points and subsequent insurance surcharges you would otherwise receive as a consequence of your speeding ticket. Think of the reduced fine, as the "tax" for having the privilege to drive faster.
I am not saying you'll get off of all every traffic violation or moving violation; but I am suggesting that you will fare much better. And most importantly, you'll be acting as a more responsible citizen to boot.
If thought about it in this way, you'll get through all of this much easier.
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