When a cop pulls you over for speeding, what you do has a huge impact on what happens next. Whether the encounter ends with a stern warning or an arrest for aggressive driving depends partially on how you conduct yourself during the traffic stop.
You cannot always get out of a ticket, but there are some things you can do to improve your odds. Follow these tips the next time a police officer pulls you over when you are going too fast.
1. Be polite and courteous
According to Reader's Digest, one tip for getting out of a speeding ticket is being nice to the officer. While it may be obvious to not be rude, you should also avoid being cold or overly quiet. Simply ask the cop how his or her day is going. This easy question can make all the difference in what the officer decides to do. However, you should avoid apologizing for speeding. Do not give the police anything to use against you.
2. Show the cop you are mindful
Police officers are often afraid when pulling people over. They do not know if someone is going to be aggressive or try to shoot them. You can ease the mind of the officer who pulls you over by doing these things:
- Put your hands on the steering wheel.
- Turn on the interior light if it is night time.
- Ask permission to get your wallet out to retrieve your license.
This will show the officer that you care about his or her safety and may make a huge difference.
3. Ask for a warning
As long as you were not being overly dangerous, such as swerving in and out of lanes while going 100 miles per hour or going 60 miles per hour in a school zone, you should feel comfortable politely requesting a warning. You never know if the cop is going to let you off.