A comprehensive guide to Speeding tickets. Discover 15 clever ways you can drive fast and avoid a speeding ticket. This guide will show you exactly how to never get a speeding ticket again and more.
Speeding is thrilling. Speeding tickets are not.
Are you a speeder trying to avoid speeding tickets to keep a speeding ticket off your record? Or are you trying to avoid getting pulled over at night?
If so, then you’re in the right place.
Everyone wants to avoid speeding tickets because the feeling of seeing red and blue lights flashing in your rear view is scary, and interaction with an officer usually results with a charge.
Whether you are a cautious driver or a careless one, everyone exceeds posted speed limits, from time to time. Maybe you’re running late for work, or have a family emergency which justifies your urgency.
When it comes to the law, speeding is a traffic violation. Speed limits are a safety guide for drivers to obey. Is it possible to speed in today’s society, knowing Big Brother is watching us everywhere? The answer is yes!
In fact, I speed all the time without getting a speeding ticket.
If you want to live a little, and never get a speeding ticket again, you’re in luck. Our guide will cover: The Top 15 Ways You Can Speed and Avoid Speeding Tickets. After you complete our guide we can almost guarantee that You’ll Never Get Speeding Tickets Again.
But first, let’s teach you the basics, so that you’ll understand the US system and how to avoid speeding tickets where you live.
Recognize This? This Is What A Speeding Ticket Looks Like
We’re surly going to show you how to avoid speeding tickets like this after we cover the basics.
What’s a Speeding Ticket?
A speeding ticket is a notice issued by a law enforcement official to a motorist or other road user. It indicates that the user has violated traffic laws. At first, if you receive a speeding ticket you can pay your fine either online, by mail, by phone, or in person to the Traffic Violations Bureau of the issuing state. Just follow the payment instructions on the ticket. Failing to do so will result in your license and registration being suspended, revoked, and even possibly worse. You also might be wondering:
What Speeding Ticket Is A Felony?
None! You cannot be charged for a felony for speeding in a vehicle. Now, quit worrying!
As a matter of fact, there is technically no felony speeding ticket. In some states such as Arizona, you can get charged with excessive speeding, a class 3 misdemeanor. Steep penalties indeed, but still not a felony.
If there are other offenses involved (like a DUI) that may result in felony charges. So, if you don’t ever drink and drive, you can speed and avoid a ticket.
What does a Speeding Ticket Cost?
At the present time, a speeding ticket can actually end up costing you between 4 and 7 times the amount of the base fine. In most states, the main factor determining the cost of your speeding ticket is you.
You can either pay the fine amount listed on the ticket, or you can plead not guilty.
If you plead not guilty, you can appear before a judge and try to get it dismissed. For example, New York state will plead down fines to a really expensive parking ticket, paying $150 with no points on your licence. If you are trying to get away with a speeding ticket in court your best best is to first plea not guilty to the ticket.
This is crazy:
On average Americans pay $6.2 billion every year in fines because every day 112,000 Americans get a speeding ticket.
If You Pay Your Fines On Time You Will Not Be Affected
However, you must keep in mind, if you are found guilty after your hearing, you no longer have the option to just pay the fine, and your penalty may be higher. Some states will work with you if you can’t afford to pay the ticket in full and set up a payment plan, allowing you to pay your fine in installments.
Keep in mind, speeding tickets will not affect your credit, however an unpaid traffic violation ticket can get reported to a collection agency. Furthermore, you can’t discharge traffic fines in chapter 7 Bankruptcy either, so make sure your payments are made in a timely manner.
The state may have your license suspended if your fine goes unpaid.
In addition, you will risk getting speeding ticket points on your license. Speeding ticket points go on your driving record and they will affect your insurance.
Overall, speeding tickets can cost more than money and a clean driving record.
A Speeding Ticket can Cost you Your Job
If your job requires you to transport others or merchandise, speeding may not be something you want to risk. A speeding ticket can result in suspension or even termination of your employment. So, if that’s you, please consider not speeding on and off the job. We don’t want you risking your career.
Don’t Worry So Much About Speeding Tickets
If you’re a first time, or even repeat offender, the authorities will usually reduce your speeding ticket to a lesser offense. You can also have them expunged from your record.
Cops generally will not pull you over if you are going five to ten mph over the speed limit. Exceed the speed limit by more than ten mph, and you are risking a ticket, fines, and even higher insurance rates, as well as possibly endangering your fellow drivers.
They will not affect your security clearance or cause you to violate your probation unless you get it on a conditional licence. If you have a green card it may affect your application. I suggest you do research if you want to learn more.
The worst way a speeding ticket can affect you is that it can increase your car insurance, because you will appear to be a reckless driver to your insurance company. You could have points added to your license, however you can remove them if you take a point reduction course. And lastly, if you don’t pay your fines, you may have your license suspended.
And that was the basics of speeding tickets and why you should avoid them.
At Affordable Car Projects, we want to inform our readers, to protect themselves from these needless costs.
Now:
Let’s talk about those clever tips, so you can speed and not get caught.
1. Invest In A Decent Radar Detector
Yes, they’re expensive (good ones, anyhow). These can range from well below $100, to more than $600 for devices with lots of bells and whistles. Beware the cheap radar detector, though. A decent radar detector is less expensive than even a single big speeding ticket and the higher insurance costs that will come with it. Radar detectors are completely legal for any non-commercial vehicle to use. However, they are banned in Washington DC and Virginia. If you live in a state where they are legal having one is well worth the investment to avoid a speeding ticket. You want one that has enough range to give you plenty of time to slow down before your car is practically climbing into the patrolman’s passenger seat.
2. Find a ‘Rabbit’ If You Want To Avoid Getting Caught Speeding
Surely, there is strength in numbers. When driving long distances on the highway, if you mind your speed for the first half hour or so, someone will pass you.
Join them! That is your Rabbit! A solitary driver who is traveling the speed you’d like to drive that you can follow discretely.
Having a Rabbit or someone driving faster than you on the road has two major benefits.
First, the speedier driver that leading the pack is assuming all of the risk from police radar traps. Let that driver flush police out of their hiding places. You will see his brake lights, take it as a warning to slow down, and take defensive action. The Rabbit will get the speeding ticket and you will have wisely avoided one.
Here’s the Deal:
If you’re going to follow your Rabbit, we recommend that you stay about 5 cars behind your speeder. But LOOK to see if you can find a pack of cars going the speed you’d like to maintain first.
Secondly, the lead driver will also clear a path for you through upcoming traffic. They will be the one clearing out the fast lane for you to enjoy. They will be the one assuming all of the risk while swerving around other vehicles or impelling them to move to the right. Of course, the risk in all of this is that you will be the car liable to be caught by police cruisers that are driving through traffic, coming up from behind, but that risk is the same whether you’re speeding alone or in a group.
3. Don’t Drive Aggressively – Avoid Excessive Lane Changes & Tailgating
NEVER tailgate if you’re speeding to get a vehicle to move to the right, and you will surely avoid a speeding ticket. Safe lane changes are super important. It’s very dangerous to weave in and out of traffic and switch lanes frequently. Keep to one lane, and always make sure the driver ahead knows what you intend and change only when necessary. It’s safer, and it will help you fade into the background.
Tailgating and improper lane changes some of the top reasons why people get pulled over. So don’t do it. In addition, it is rude and dangerous. Be a safe and cautious speeder, because if you aren’t, then you ABSOLUTELY deserve a speeding ticket. Affordable Car Projects readers don’t endanger other drivers.
The Two Second Rule will help you decide a safe following distance. If you are too close to the driver in front of you, you have decreased your own reaction time to anything unexpected that the other driver does.
A better method of conveying your desire to pass is to flash your headlights at them. With many cars now having headlights that are always on, some drivers may not get the message. In Europe, when drivers in the left lane want to pass, they put on their left signal. Since they obviously cannot change lanes into a lane that doesn’t exist, the driver in the lead car takes this as a message to move right. Drivers understand this method when I use it in the US today.
4. Vary Your Speed
Cars and trucks on the highway tend to bunch up. There are congested areas, and long stretches when you’re alone on the road. Speeding on the highway will decrease your travel time on long journeys and shorten your trip, but you shouldn’t just constantly race to your destination. You can be safer by being more cautious around other drivers, and accelerating in empty areas. Doing 70 in a 55 mph zone on an empty highway is safer than the same speed on a busy section of road. If you only speed enough to pass cars on busier areas, you’ll be a safer speeder. and decrease your odds of getting a speeding ticket.
5. Stay In The Middle & Drive Within 5-10 mph of The Pack
To speed without getting caught you must not be the fastest car on the road. Cops are usually looking for vehicles who are driving faster than the other cars on the road. In addition to being the lead car, logic says you’ll be the first car to run past any police radar trap up ahead and get a speeding ticket.
And if you’re the last car, you’ll be the one the police officer rolls up behind. That means the safest place is in the middle.
For Example:
I was speeding on the highway one evening. I saw a car pulled over so I didn’t bother to slow down because I thought the officer was occupied. Little did I know since I was at the end of the herd and the officer had just finished writing his ticket.
I bet you can guess what happened next.
I got pulled over for speeding. But I didn’t get a ticket. The officer gave me a warning and let me go on my way.
Remember, strength in numbers. Improve your odds of not getting pulled over by driving within a heard of vehicles that are speeding 5 to 10 mph over the legal speeding limit. As a result, you are less likely to get pulled over for speeding.
If you’re in the middle of the pack, they’re less likely to pull you over. Of course, it definitely won’t be you if you don’t speed in the first place.
Want to know the best part?
You can usually get away with speeding in the morning, during rush hour traffic.
As a young office professional that commuted to work every morning for several years. I was able to speed up to 15 miles over the speed limit keeping up with the flow of traffic. Everybody was in a rush every morning and the police never interfered.
6. Avoiding The Fast Lane Reduces Your Odds of Being A Target
To avoid a speeding ticket you should avoid that fast left lane. Try to stay stay in the middle lanes as much as possible and only pass into the far left lane when needed.
Reason? If the police have a speed trap set up in a U-Turn in the median, or they are cruising along from the opposite direction on a divided highway trolling for speeders, the lead foot in the far left lane is the one most likely to become the target. People who often get caught speeding are also the drivers who push it, driving 10 or 15 mph over the speed limit AND linger in the fast lane.
7. Watch Out For Median Cutouts and Slow Down Until You’re Clear
On many highways, there are cutouts in the median strip every couple of miles. Usually, you can see these in plenty of time to slow down a little bit in case there’s a squad car lurking behind the bushes, ready to give you a speeding ticket.
8. Never Speed When You’re Alone On the Road
Seriously, speeding alone on the road is the worst thing you can do. Being the only speeding car on the road says you want to get pulled over. Especially, if you ignore this advice. It’s the equivalent of plastering a “ticket me!” bumper sticker on your vehicle.
You will become a cops target no matter how fast you’re going the posted speed limit.
It may sound like a cliche, but in rural areas and small towns, speeding alone on country roads is even more dangerous. Police are looking for speeders (and the revenue they generate) with frequent patrols and radar. Also, never speed late at night. Drunk-driving patrols are serious, and cops are more inclined to pull you over for any offense, in order to check you for signs of alcohol.
Don’t give them a reason.
9. Drive An Average Car To Avoid Standing Out
It may not be fair, but it’s human nature to notice things that stand out from the crowd. Flashy vehicles with dark tints, bright colors, loud exhaust pipes or tricked-out in other ways, are the cars more likely to get noticed by a cop than ordinary-looking, family-type cars.
Here’s the deal:
Since the officer has to single out one car, which car do you suppose is the likely candidate for a speeding ticket? The bright red Mustang? Or the navy blue Honda Civic?
A high-profile car increases your odds of getting a speeding ticket versus a warning. The cop is going to assume you deserve a speeding ticket if you get pulled-over in one
However, the guy in a family sedan, whose plea that he “didn’t realize he was speeding” comes off as more believable.
10. Dressing Nice May Be Your Way Out Of A Speeding Ticket
If your appearance says, “responsible member of the community,” you’re apt to get a friendlier response than if you look and act like trouble.
Just don’t be the driver foolish enough that they do ALL of these unwise things, driving a flashy car, too fast, late at night, when you’re the only car on the road, while dressed in pajamas.
If you do that, expect a speeding ticket. And expect no mercy.
11. Download An Avoid Speeding Tickets App Like Germin U.S.A To Avoid Speeding Cameras
If you want to intentionally exceed the speed limit and blast across the state then try protecting yourself with an app. Most established radar-detector companies are creating very useful apps that help you to avoid getting a speeding ticket. Thankfully, modern mobile computing has made it possible to avoid many types of traffic tickets out there.
Apps such as Radarbot: SpeedCam Detector, Speed Cameras Alert and Germin U.S.A will help you avoid speeding cameras with their cutting edge technology. They are one of the top manufacturers of consumer GPS devices, it’s no surprise that Garmin has developed an app that alerts users of upcoming red lights, speed cameras and more. At a somewhat costly price of $49.99 through the iTunes Store (the only official vendor) the Garmin StreetPilot Onboard U.S.A. isn’t for everyone.
Moreover, since it is only compatible with Apple products, most mobile users are excluded.
Also read: 12 speed camera myths busted – how to avoid being caught by the 25-year-old safety measure
12. Use The Cobra iRadar App or The WAZE App To Avoid Speed Traps
These popular apps and others like them allow drivers who want to avoid getting a speeding ticket avoid speed traps.
These apps have been criticized for showing drivers where police checkpoints are set up, and some stopped doing so.
Your other option, mentioned above, is purchasing a radar detector instead. You can buy a radar detector on Amazon at an affordable price.
13. Drive protected with the Laser Veil Stealth Coating
Police laser guns account for 20-25% of the 125,000 or so speeding tickets issued annually. That’s a significant percentage, amounting to about 30,000 traffic citations a day! Since all laser speed readings happen without advanced warning and occur nearly instantaneously, using Laser Veil will not only buy you precious additional time to react and safely slow down, it can also help protect your vehicle from being identified from automated photo enforcement and license plate readers. You can learn about this technology here.
14. Most Importantly, Be Cautious Behind The Wheel
By speeding, you are assuming all of the responsibility for any accidents caused.
The Law will come down on you harder for speeding if you create a hazard for other drivers. Therefore, you must take extra care when doing so. Avoid passing closely to other cars, and give trucks and tractor-trailers an even larger cushion.
Choose the safest moment to pass. Make sure you have visibility for at least a hundred feet beyond the driver you want to get around, and choose the clearest part of the road to make your move.
Never pass when driving up a hill, or when coming to a bend in the road to the right. These situations limit your visibility and could cause you to get more than a speeding ticket.
Bonus Tip:
15. How To Beat And Avoid Speeding Ticket In Court If you Get Pulled Over
So when an officer pulls you over for speeding, this is what you do:
Roll down you window, look the officer in the eyes and ASK…
“How’s Your Day Going Officer?”
The reason why this may work is because you are treating the police officer like a human, because in return you’ll be treated the same way. Making small talk and having somewhat of a conversation humanizes you both, which makes it harder for the office to give you a ticket.
If that doesn’t work try this as a backup.
ASK…
“Would you consider giving me a warning?”
In many cases, warnings count toward a police departments ticket quota, which is what officers are sometimes concerned with.
If you end with a speeding ticket your best bet to avoid a speeding ticket in court is to first plea not guilty to the ticket or pay the 0-point fine.
Even though you are trying to get away with a speeding ticket in court, treating the officers how you would like to be treated is the right thing to do.
After all they’re just doing their jobs.
Conclusion
Now, we have covered the best ways to avoid speeding tickets, Good Luck! However, speeding still remains illegal. You risk accidents, paying fines, and higher insurance rates when exceeding posted speed limits. If you want your driving habits to remain affordable and avoid speeding tickets, keep this article in mind. You can speed and minimize the risks to yourself and others by following these suggestions. We trust you will be able to avoid speeding tickets with our simple tips. However, we assume no liability if you cannot. Be careful out there, and enjoy the journey.
Drive Safely and have fun speeding using our tips to avoid a speeding ticket. Drive safe, drive smart, drive ticket free.
Leave a comment to let me know which tip you’re going to try first.
Are you going to find a Rabbit the next time you speed?
Or are you going to look the Officer in the eyes and ask about their day if you get caught?
Either way, leave a quick comment below right now.
Mitch is an Army veteran with two overseas tours, a former shopping mall operations manager, and an avid reader. He enjoys alternate archeology and history, punk, funk and classic rock music, Marvel Comics and films, and needs a haircut.