Chances are you have had that sinking feeling that comes when you see those red and blue lights flashing in your rear view mirror. You’ve been speeding, and you’ve been caught. Don’t despair just yet: there are many things you can do to avoid paying that ticket.
The first thing to remember is that they can;t fine you if they don;t pull you over in the first place Avoid speed traps: when the speed limit changes abruptly, pay attention. Especially when you are on a long trip, you might pass through small towns whose cops make lots of money off of speeding tourists like you. Drive carefully, use your safety belt, and don’t give them and excuse.
Sometimes, no matter how careful we are, we make mistakes. If you do get pulled over, remember that whether you get fined or not is up to the man standing just outside your driver’s side door. Be polite and talk respectfully. They are just doing their job, so if you explain how important this is to you while keeping things civil, they might just let you go.
Some areas require the officer to show you their radar readings if asked. Don’t ask about this right away, wait until you have had a few moments to build a rapport with the officer. If they refuse to let you see the radar, don’t insist. Make a mental note of it though, as you may be able to use their refusal later in court.
Yes, I did say ‘court’. This is time consuming, so avoid it if you can. The ticket will include contact information for the officer. If you have time, it doesn’t hurt to call and ask the officer to drop the fine. Again, politeness is very important. Do this in the first few days after your ticket, so that he has time to forget you before you actually see him in the courtroom. Also, l the court clerk can be your friend. Ask for a continuance. If you can delay the date, you have a better chance of getting your fine dropped.
If you still haven’t gotten it dropped, you must show up for your court date. If you don’t show, you certainly will have to pay. Don’t plead guilty, and fallow the instructions. You may not even have to state your case. If the officer isn’t in court that day, you will likely have your ticket thrown out. You can also check your ticket for missing information. If things like the date, location, or time of the incident were not recorded, you can use that to your advantage.
If you have your day in court and are found guilty, you have one trick left up your sleeve. You can appeal. Admittedly this is often not worth the extra time involved, but you do have the right. Be sure to follow the instructions of the court, and you still have a fighting chance.
The bottom line is to remember that everyone involved is just a person doing their job. Treat them with respect, know your rights, and follow these guidelines. Next time you find yourself under the gaze of a traffic cop, you just might be able to hold on yo your money.
You have been speeding, and you’ve been caught. Don’t despair just yet: there are many things you can do to beat a speeding ticket. Inside information now on http://www.speedingticketsbeater.com/how-to-beat-a-speeding-ticket/
