I’m tired of reading those stupid magazine articles on “how to not get a ticket” or “how to talk your way out of a ticket”. It doesn’t work. Regaurdless of how much you flirt or talk in circles to confuse the cop, you will get a ticket to if they need to meet his/her quota. Now, I have had my share of unfortunate events while driving, and I figured I should share my stories. Learn from my bad example if you will.
My first ticket, I was speeding on a back road near the Florida/Georgia border. apparently a cop had been following me for about ten minutes. She asked me why I would speed with a cop right behind me, and my response “I wouldn’t have been speeding if I knew you were right behind me.” She thought this was funny, and lowered my speed. This made my ticket reduce in price by $100.
My next ticket, was the following semester. My roommates and I went to see a concert in Jacksonville. On the way back to Tallahassee I was pulled over. The cop informed me that not only was I speeding my headlight was out. I tried to cry, but no tears were coming. I told the cop that I had no idea my light was out. He went back to his car, and came back a few papers. One was a warning for the speeding (Thank goodness!) and the other was a fix-it ticket for my light.
The next one was beyond a shadow of a doubt my fault, and I understand why the cop wouldn’t change anything for me. I got pulled over for not wearing my seat belt! I was literally pulling into my friends apartment complex when I noticed his lights. I asked him if it made a difference that I made it to my destination safely. He said he wished it did and promptly handed me a ticket.
My last ticket, I recieved a few days ago. I was on my way to catch a flight out of Jacksonville. I was running late, and trying to make up some time. The cop pulled me over and asked why I was in such a rush. He was an undercover cop for the record. I’m not that oblivious. I joked with him about missing my flight, and I got him to lower my speed.
The moral of the story, if you are going to speed be prepared for a ticket. Once you are pulled over just be honest with the cop. They appreciate honesty and some humor. Think about how many times a day they get people trying to cry their way out of a ticket. I have noticed if you can make the cop laugh, you have a better shot than ever trying to lie.