There’s nothing worse than seeing the flashing lights of a police cruiser behind you. Not only will you be subjected to stares from cars passing by, but you’ll also more than likely be hit with a ticket. That means you’ll be facing a hefty fine, and even worse, an increase in your car insurance premium once it comes time to renew your policy.
Importance of a Clean Driving Record
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One of the keys to avoiding car insurance policy increases is to keep a clean driving record. Greg’s article has mentioned five factors which may influence your rates after a ticket. That’s why it is so important to avoid getting a ticket at all costs.
However, even if you always abide by traffic laws, it only takes one instance to catch the attention of a police officer and get a dreaded ticket. Even Autoblog has some suggestions to help you “fly under the radar” if you want.
Top Ways to Avoid a Speeding Ticket
| Rank | Top Ways to Avoid a Speeding Ticket |
|---|---|
| 1 | Find a 'rabbit'* |
| 2 | Don't change lanes frequently, tailgate, drive aggressively |
| 3 | Avoid the fast lane |
| 4 | Drive within 5-10 mph of surrounding traffic |
| 5 | Try to stay in the middle of the pack |
| 6 | Don't speed when you are the only car on the road |
| 7 | Get a radar detector if legal in your state |
| 8 | Drive a nondescript car** |
| 9 | Be aware that appearances count |
| 10 | Watch for cutouts where police park on the highway or interstate |
*A rabbit is a solitary driver going fast you follow behind about 100 to 200 yards and hope the rabbit will trip the police scanner and not you.
**Mention below, but driving a less “flashy” or nondescript vehicle will lessen your chances a getting a speeding ticket since it doesn’t catch the eyes of the police.
Here at AutoInsureSavings, we know just how stressful and aggravating it can be to get a ticket. That’s why we’ve compiled these four tips to help you avoid a ticket at all costs.
If you need to know where speed traps are in your area, Phantom Alert is useful.
Whether you mistakenly missed a traffic sign, you were speeding, or you got caught sending a quick text message, these tips will help you avoid the fine and possible points that come as a result of the ticket, and they’ll also keep your car insurance premiums down.
What to Say To Avoid a Speeding Ticket or Mitigate Your Chances
| First, wave 'hello' then put your hands on the door seal with your window down |
| Ask, 'How’s your day going?' |
| 'Is It OK if I get my wallet out?' |
| 'Would you consider giving me a warning?' |
And What “Not” to Say
Whatever you say don’t say “I’m sorry I was speeding” and never ever say “Do you know who I am?”
Speeding Tickets & the Impact on Car Insurance
| Moving Violation | Auto Insurance Rate Impact |
|---|---|
| Speeding >10 MPH | Moderate |
| Speeding <10 MPH | Low |
| Reckless Driving | Severe |
| Running a Red Light | Moderate / Severe |
| Failure to Yield / Stop | Moderate / Severe |
| Improper Passing | Moderate |
| Illegal U-Turn | Low / Moderate |
| Wrong Way | Moderate |
| Fleeing from Police | Severe |
| Failure to Use Child Restraint | Moderate / Severe |
| DUI / DWI | Severe |
Choose the Right Car
One of the first things that a police officer will notice on the road is the car that you’re driving. While it may be fun and flashy to drive a red sports car, you’re also going to face greater scrutiny from the officer hiding out behind the overpass. Insurance companies know this, and that is why sports cars tend to cost more to insure than regular sedans.
Note: These are the top reasons police pull over a driver and issue a ticket. Each are by odds out of 10. For example, speeding is the highest odds, while following too close is lower.
Furthermore, the appearance of the inside of your car may be the difference between you getting left off with a warning and you being issued a ticket.
By keeping your car looking presentable, well-cleaned and free of incriminating bumper stickers, you’ll likely be able to walk away ticket-free.
Reader’s Digest says a police officer has determined whether or not to give you ticket after approaching your vehicle.
The same can also be said for aftermarket add-ons. For instance, if you have racer seats installed, or a modified steering wheel, the police officer is going to assume the worst, and you’ll more than likely get hit with the ticket you wanted to avoid.
The Worst Speed Traps by State & City
| State | Top City | Top Speed Trap / City |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | Madison | Quintard and 22nd, Anniston |
| Alaska | Anchorage | N/A |
| Arizona | Prescott Valley | Beeline Highway |
| Arkansas | Fayetteville | US 63 and I-40, Hazen |
| California | Brea | El Dorado Freeway |
| Colorado | Littleton | US 285, near Alamosa |
| Connecticut | Milford | Along Route 8 |
| Delaware | Dover | James St and Highland Ave, Newport |
| Florida | Sarasota | I-95 at NW 40th, Boca Raton |
| Georgia | Marietta | Lenora Church Rd, Snellville |
| Hawaii | Honolulu | Pali Highway, by Nuuanu Ave, Honolulu |
| Idaho | Idaho Falls | ID 75, Ketchum |
| Illinois | Carol Stream | Arlington Heights Rd, Arlington Heights |
| Indiana | Greenwood | US-41, through Terre Haute |
| Iowa | Cedar Rapids | Asbury Rd, near Dubuque |
| Kansas | Lenexa | Highway 24, through Rossville |
| Kentucky | Bowling Green | I-65 at I-265, Louisville |
| Louisiana | Baton Rouge | Highway 65, north of Lake Providence |
| Maine | Portland | Western Ave, by the Armory in Augusta |
| Maryland | Hagerstown | Prince Frederick Blvd, Prince Frederick |
| Massachusetts | Leominster | Boylston St at Reservoir Rd, Brookline |
| Michigan | Dearborn Heights | Plymouth Rd and Middle Belt Rd, Livonia |
| Minnesota | Edina | I-35E at Shepard Rd, St. Paul |
| Mississippi | Meridian | Highway 4, through Senatobia |
| Missouri | Cape Girardeau | Bayless Ave at Lemay Ferry Rd, Lemay |
| Montana | Missoula | W Broadway St and McCormick, Missoula |
| Nebraska | Bellevue | 72nd St and Ames, Omaha |
| Nevada | Carson City | Blue Diamond Rd at S Jones Blvd, Las Vegas |
| New Hampshire | Concord | NH 106, by the Laconia-Gilford Bypass |
| New Jersey | Sayreville | Lincoln Tunnel approach |
| New Mexico | Rio Rancho | Pat D'Arco Highway at Corales Rd, Rio Rancho |
| New York | Troy | Niagara Falls Blvd, Buffalo |
| North Carolina | Hickory | State Highway 49, outside of Asheboro |
| North Dakota | Grand Forks | Highway 281, near Jamestown |
| Ohio | Cleveland Heights | Highway 49, through River Styx |
| Oklahoma | Moore | US 412 at the Arkansas border |
| Oregon | Beaverton | I-84 right on the Idaho border |
| Pennsylvania | State College | SH 36, through Alaska |
| Rhode Island | Pawtucket | Chestnut St, Bristol |
| South Carolina | Greenville | SC 151, through McBee |
| South Dakota | Rapid City | N/A |
| Tennessee | Smyrna | Cedar St and Highland Dr, McKenzie |
| Texas | Coppell | Ocean and Arroyo, Los Fresnos |
| Utah | Sandy | Highway 89 |
| Vermont | Burlington | Highway 12, near Woodstock |
| Virginia | Blacksburg | Highway 1 and Fuller Rd, Quantico |
| Washington | Bremerton | Highway 5 at 134th St, Vancouver |
| West Virginia | Charleston | Rt 39 at Rt 60, Gauley Bridge |
| Wisconsin | Brookfield | Tower Ave at 58th St, Superior |
| Wyoming | Casper | CanAm Highway, between Lusk and Newcastle |
Never Admit to the Infraction
Always remember that anything you say can, and probably will be used against you in the police report. If you admit to your infraction, the cop will not only issue you a ticket, but they’ll document your confession on the report. When it comes time to your court date, you won’t stand a fighting chance.
On the other hand, if you answer the officer vaguely, and never admit to the infraction that you committed, you may be able to use certain tactics to get the non-guilty verdict you want when it comes time for your court date.
Plead Not Guilty (and defer your court date)
Even if you know that you were guilty, you should never plead guilty to the ticket. If you plead not guilty and go to court, the worst that can happen is you’ll have your ticket reduced to a lesser offense that involves fewer or no points being added to your license.
Once you plead not guilty, it would be in your best interest to defer you court date as much as possible. By deferring your trial date, you stand a better chance of having the officer forget, or simply opt not to go to the trial. If that happens, then you may just get your ticket revoked.
Additional Articles
Research All the Tactics You Can Take to Get Your Ticket Dismissed
Lastly, get to know all the loopholes that will work to your advantage when you show up for court. Whether you received your deposition too late or one of the officers in the patrol car failed to show up for your trial, you can get your ticket thrown out and you’ll drive home ticket-free.
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