Emma Radebaugh
No matter how carefully you drive, most people receive at least one speeding ticket in their lifetimes. Sometimes you won’t know that you have a fine until you get a ticket in the mail. Other times, you will receive a ticket after getting pulled over by the police. If you find that you’re getting more than your driving history or wallet can afford, here are some tips on how to avoid getting a speeding ticket.
Do not question the police officer
When you get pulled over for speeding for the first time, you might feel angry or offended. After all, you are a careful driver. As tempting as it might be to yell at a police officer or accuse him or her of falsely ticketing you, it’s a bad idea. Questioning a police officer is a sure way to kill your chances of getting off with a warning. The best way to respond is to politely apologize for speeding and assure the police officer that you will be more careful next time. Although this doesn’t guarantee that you’ll get off with a warning, it increases the likelihood.
Pay extra attention to your speed
If you get a speeding ticket in the mail for the first time, try to remember what you were doing and how you were feeling. Could you have been speeding without realizing it because you were tired or stressed out? If there’s an accompanying traffic camera photo, that could give you clues as well. Next time you’re out, make sure that you are following all the rules of the road. Pay extra attention to your speed as well. Speed humps, road bumps, signs, and traffic lights can all encourage drivers to reduce their speed.
Ask a friend or family member about your driving habits
According to Traffic School in NJ, if you start to accumulate speeding tickets, ask a trusted friend or family member about your driving habits. How was your speed? Your stopping distances? Your signaling? If they don’t have any criticism, ask one of them to drive with you. Perhaps they’ll notice something different about your driving ability. It can be very helpful to have another close eye on the wheel and another opinion about your driving to get an idea about what might be causing this issue.
Look at the days and times on your speeding tickets
By paying attention to the days and times of your speeding tickets, you might start to recognize a pattern. For instance, your speeding may have happened primarily at 1 a.m. on weekdays. Or maybe your speeding happens on the same day every week. If you see a pattern, think about what you are typically doing, thinking, and feeling at those times. Some people speed more when they are stressed out, while others lose track of their speed when they’re especially happy.
Limit your driving for a while
Constantly receiving tickets can get expensive. The only sure way to avoid getting a speeding ticket is to avoid driving. You do not have to avoid driving forever. Just give it a few weeks or until you pay all your speeding tickets off. Next time you get back on the road, make sure that you drive with somebody for a little while. Avoid driving at busy times and in places with a high concentration of traffic lights. A safe place to practice driving is at an empty parking lot.
