If i get pulled over for speeding, what determines whether I get a warning or a ticket?

Question

I have a clean license, never gotten a ticket in my life (but I do speed all the time).

If I get pulled over and he runs my license, will my clean record have any impact on whether I get a speeding ticket (instead of a warning)?

Is there anything I can say or do to avoid getting a ticket, after I get pulled over?

Answer 1

It is always at the officer's disgression whether or not he will ticket you. Here is my thoughtprocess.

The job of a police officer is to gain compliance with as little action/force necessary. If my presence influences someone to not speed, I have done my job succefully. Now in the case where I may have caught someone speeding, first I have to keep in mind that they did break the law. The second consideration is how I can best influence that person to obey the law. (WHY they broke the law has absolutely NO bearing here. This is why excuses NEVER work.)

Now, to achieve my second point, I will take into consideration items like their attitude and driving history. If the are rude and want to act like they are not phased by the fact they broke the law, I'll write a ticket to remind them that they are not untouchable. If they have a bad driving record, I will wite a ticket to increase the case against them if, God forbid, someday they injure someone, it will be easier to use a papertrail of bad tickets to prosecute them. If they are polite, have a good record, and if I believe that my presence there truely made them consider their actions and I feel that this will be incentive enough to make them review their actions in the future, I will more than likely give them a warning.

Answer 2

In 30 yrs I gave more warnings than tickets. Like several here, I see 3 things as relevant.
1. Just how dangerous was your driving? The higher the danger level, the greater the chance you will be cited.
2. Your driving history. With today's technology, the officer may just have you on his computer screen before he even gets out of his car. If not, he most likely will get it pretty darn fast. A fun filled history will usually increase the chance you will be cited. It seems you can't learn to drive legally without incentives.
3. Attitude!! Vastly more drivers talk themselves into a ticket than ever talk themselves out of one. Don't try kissing up like several people have said. What that will do is get you a ticket, just as soon as the officer pulls your nose out of his butt.

I do love excuses.
I had to get to the bathroom is always funny. I write slower to see if it is true.
I am late to an appointment. I advise you to get on the cell cause you are now going to be later but at least I will give you evidence to show why you are late.
I think my speedometer must be broken. I write a second violation for a fix-it ticket.
I didn't realize how fast I was going. OH BOY! Tell that one to the judge so he knows you do not pay attention when driving.
Oh, those little Fraternal Order of Police Stickers... good reason to cite the driver. He is either an officer making cops look bad or a citizen who thinks it best to buy a cop.

Be honest. Be polite. Be genuine.

Answer 3

There's no surefire way not to get a ticket, but there are some things you can do to increase your chances:
1. Be polite, say yes sir, no sir.
2. Always keep your hands on the steering wheel. Don't reach for your glove compartment until he asks for your registration. That way, he can always see your hands and feels a little safer.
3. When you do reach for your license and registration, tell him where you're reaching so he knows what you're doing.
4. Don't mention a quota. Cops hate that.
5. Don't think the officer is stupid by saying something like, "I have no idea why you pulled me over" or "I didn't know what the speed limit was." I usually just say, "I guess I must've been in a hurry" or "I guess I just had a lead foot."
6. Always wear your seatbelt.

Funny story: one time my friend and I got pulled over and he was wearing a shirt that said, "How to avoid getting a ticket: " with some things to do. Needless to say, he got a ticket.

Answer 4

When I run someones license there is no way of me knowing their complete driving history. I can find out if they are wanted or not. I will usually write a warning if I feel the person will learn from that alone. I will write a ticket it I fee the individual has committed a serious offense, and or I have pulled them over before. If they have been pulled over recently, dispatch can let me know and if I find out they were pulled over for the same thing, they will get a ticket.

Answer 5

Your attitude, the severity of the violation and your prior record will all be determining factors. If you have no prior tickets and you get pulled over, be humble and you may get off with a warning. However, if you're driving more than 15 miles over the speed limit you will likely get a ticket no matter what. Once the officer starts writing, you are done.

Answer 6

The amount over the speed limit and your attitude will go a long way in determining whether or not you get a ticket.

The officer has no way of knowing how many tickets you've gotten. The DMV keeps track of that.

The best way to avoid a ticket is to obey the speed laws.

Answer 7

I get stopped all of the time and I am like a police magnet. I have never been arrrested and I have only had one real ticket. When you get a warning in our area they fill out a ticket and mark it as a warning. I have never gotten a warning ticket wither. I always carry loaded firearms in my vehicle. I am not law enforcement or military or anything like that so with that said hear we go.

1. As soon as you see the lights turn on your hazards. Pull off the road so other vehicles can pass safely. turn off the engine and take the keys out of the ignition so he knows you are not going to try to drive off.
Roll your window down and put both hands on the steering wheel. Make sure their is as little noise as possible sometimes kids make this diffiult.
We do this so he can see you and see your hands and he can hear if you are doing anything fishy. He stops drug dealers and all kinds of people that would like to kill him so you don't make any threatning statment or gesture.

If he has proof that you were doing something illegal appologize and make up an excuse ie. "I didn't realize I was going that fast I was just listeneing to the radio. I am sorry I never meant to put other people at risk because of my carelessness this is not my typical behavior. I always try to be careful and obey the laws. " Now he understands that you are a careful responsible driver and you are as much concerned about his safety and the safety of others as you are about getting to your destination. Always say yes sir and yes mam. If they seem to be in a good mood ask how there day has been try to treat him like a walmart cashier because you are not going anywhere until the officer gets finished doing his thing so you might as well take this time to try and make him/her your friend. He may have to go back to his car if so sit still and don't move. If you have to do something that he has not asked you to do ask his permission. ie" Do you mind if try to settle my daughter she seems a little confused and wait for his response before doing anything. Obey everything he asks you to do as well as if he says no to your request.

If you he would ever consider giving you a warning these behaviors will increase your chances and remember if you did it you deserve the punishment.

Answer 8

your best bet is kindness. all ways! sorry officer! and don't admit to anything ! if in a accident never say i'm sorry! or i did not see you. etc. i got caught red handed making a ill legal u turn when the officer ask did you not see the sign ( no u turns) i said yes i did see the sign. i just did not see you! be cauce in all most ever state it's a fine for not reading road signs so if i told him i did not see it .it would have been two fines the other for not seeing the road sign so all ways be honest and be nice to the officer even if he /she ant and most of them ant nice for what ever reason god bless good luck resume illegal speed and don't get caught =)

Answer 9

It's all up to the Judgement of the officer. It is in your best interest not to antagonize him. You, after all, are in the wrong and Justice requires the ticket. It would be mercy for you not to receive one.

Answer 10

Join the Fraternal Order of Police. Keep the sticker visible on the back of your car.