# How to answer "Do you know how fast you were going?" **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [December 27, 2011, 12:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-answer-do-you-know-how-fast-you-were-going/607472 "2011-12-27T00:58:40Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Emtar\_KronJonDerSohn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/58956e/32.png) [@Emtar\_KronJonDerSohn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Emtar_KronJonDerSohn)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2011, 4:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-answer-do-you-know-how-fast-you-were-going/607472/21 "2011-12-27T04:31:10Z")
Do you know how fast you were going? Yes, I have a pretty good idea how fast I was going. You’re under no obligation to incriminate yourself. If you say a number he’ll write it down in his notes that you admitted guilt, whether you said you were driving 1mph over or 100mph over. Then it’s moot whether his equipment has been calibrated properly if you want to fight it in court. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2011, 4:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-answer-do-you-know-how-fast-you-were-going/607472/22 "2011-12-27T04:33:59Z")
> [@Exapno\_Mapcase](#): > > Do any real-life officers ever say this? To confirm some of the answers given, absolutely. Last time I got pulled over for speeding in Chicago (about 12 years ago), the cop asked me exactly this; I lied with a half-admission of speeding (I damned knew well how fast I was going), and he let me go with a warning, though I was doing 10-15 over the limit. ---
**Author:** ![Inner\_Stickler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/inner_stickler/32/318_2.png) [@Inner\_Stickler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inner_Stickler)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2011, 4:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-answer-do-you-know-how-fast-you-were-going/607472/23 "2011-12-27T04:37:07Z")
> [@pabstist](#): > > My honest reply would be- “I really don’t know exactly, since my speedometer is broken. But I have a rough guess based on RPM’s and the gear I was in.” > > Which is true, but how do I prove this to a police officer? Have him drive my car? > > And yes, I know I should just get it fixed, but looking online it looks like a lot of money to figure out why and fix it. A 1999 Subaru Outback- could be the speedometer, one or both of two sensors, a wiring problem, etc. Plus parts after diagnosis, and more labor. So a speeding ticket may actually be cheaper. I was told to never admit to a broken speedometer as you can get a ticket for that as well. Disclaimer: I’ve never been pulled over so I don’t know if it’s legit or not. ---
**Author:** ![JWT\_Kottekoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/3ec8ea/32.png) [@JWT\_Kottekoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JWT_Kottekoe)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2011, 5:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-answer-do-you-know-how-fast-you-were-going/607472/24 "2011-12-27T05:13:48Z")
> [@Inner\_Stickler](#): > > I was told to never admit to a broken speedometer as you can get a ticket for that as well. I can verify this with the voice of experience. When I told him truthfully that the speedometer didn’t work, he inspected the car and wrote me up for the speedometer, two additional needed repairs, plus the speeding ticket. ---
**Author:** ![Senegoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/senegoid/32/6606_2.png) [@Senegoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Senegoid)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2011, 5:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-answer-do-you-know-how-fast-you-were-going/607472/25 "2011-12-27T05:27:56Z")
Cop stopped me for running a red light once. (The facts: I was in left-turn lane, in rather heavy traffic, and crossed the limit line, beginning left turn, just as the yellow light turned red. There may have been room to argue whether my wheel had just crossed the limit line or was just about to.) I argued with him, but in respectful tone, and he ended up not giving me a ticket for it. He didn’t say Tell it to the judge. Funny way he finally said it: He admitted that a truck had passed me on my right just at the critical moment, obstructing his clear view, and he didn’t really see for sure where my front wheels were at just the instant the light turned red. I think that was total BS he just made up. Anyway, he wrote me up for having a cracked windshield. So I had to get that fixed. ---
**Author:** ![lieu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c2a13f/32.png) [@lieu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lieu)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2011, 5:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-answer-do-you-know-how-fast-you-were-going/607472/26 "2011-12-27T05:38:46Z")
> [@Inner\_Stickler](#): > > I was told to never admit to a broken speedometer as you can get a ticket for that as well. That’s right. A speedometer not working is defective equipment, just like a defective blinker or headlight, also fineable offenses. I was asked the question the last time I was pulled over. Miles from the nearest town out on the open plains I’m in a speed trap though, they’re taking my money and there’s nothing in the world that I or anyone else could say that would make a sniff of difference. ---
**Author:** ![kopek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kopek/32/337_2.png) [@kopek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kopek)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2011, 5:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-answer-do-you-know-how-fast-you-were-going/607472/27 "2011-12-27T05:46:39Z")
> [@Colibri](#): > > I certainly had a cop in Florida ask me why I thought he stopped me. In my experience that is the more common question. I answered it once with “Because of the guns in my trunk?” which got his attention real fast. He asked if he could search the trunk and I said sure - then I then basically showed him the three hand-built flintlocks I had there. And he basically forgot the speeding ticket. Dude appreciated fine firearms. Sometimes the combination of age, a wide smile and distraction works. ---
**Author:** ![Dereknocue67](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/6de8d8/32.png) [@Dereknocue67](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dereknocue67)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2011, 5:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-answer-do-you-know-how-fast-you-were-going/607472/28 "2011-12-27T05:48:46Z")
Just say, “According to my speedometer, I was driving the speed limit. Why?” This gives the option of later attempting to reduce the moving violation to improper equipment. ---
**Author:** ![foolsguinea](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/foolsguinea/32/14751_2.png) [@foolsguinea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/foolsguinea)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2011, 5:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-answer-do-you-know-how-fast-you-were-going/607472/29 "2011-12-27T05:52:48Z")
“Yes, I do, officer. And now that you’re on foot, I can get back to it.” ---
**Author:** ![Llama\_Llogophile](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/49beb7/32.png) [@Llama\_Llogophile](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Llama_Llogophile)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2011, 6:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-answer-do-you-know-how-fast-you-were-going/607472/30 "2011-12-27T06:10:31Z")
“Last I looked at it a few moments ago, I was doing [the posted speed limit in that area].” Might not help, but at least it doesn’t further incriminate me. ---
**Author:** ![JBDivmstr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/b4bc9f/32.png) [@JBDivmstr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JBDivmstr)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2011, 7:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-answer-do-you-know-how-fast-you-were-going/607472/31 "2011-12-27T07:49:18Z")
> [@Covered\_In\_Bees](#): > > Why can’t you say “no”? You _ **can** _, but that’ll pretty much guarantee that you’re getting a ticket. > [@FatBaldGuy](#): > > You could always say, “I’ll bet you’re about to tell me.” Probably get a grin out of him, _ **and** _ a ticket. > [@Jamicat](#): > > 87.99 mph unfortunately. :mad: Been there, done that, got the t-shirt(s)! :smack: (_ **too** _ many times!) > [@foolsguinea](#): > > “Yes, I do, officer. And now that you’re on foot, I can get back to it.” Bwa-ha-ha-ha-ha! Honestly though, have you ever _ **really** _ said that? 😛 Posted by **Colibri** > [@](#): > > I certainly had a cop in Florida ask me why I thought he stopped me. > [@Rick](#): > > Every single one in my long and varied experience with speeding tickets. IIRC, _ **every time** _ I’ve ever been pulled over, I was asked some variation of that question. IMHO, the LEO is trying to get you to admit to being guilty. All too often, people will do exactly that. > [@kopek](#): > > In my experience that is the more common question. I answered it once with “Because of the guns in my trunk?” which got his attention real fast. He asked if he could search the trunk and I said sure - then I then basically showed him the three hand-built flintlocks I had there. And he basically forgot the speeding ticket. Dude appreciated fine firearms. > > _ **Sometimes the combination of age, a wide smile and distraction works** _. (bolding mine) Now, _ **that** _ was a smooth move! 😉 ---
**Author:** ![isaiahrobinson](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/85e7bf/32.png) [@isaiahrobinson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/isaiahrobinson)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2011, 1:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-answer-do-you-know-how-fast-you-were-going/607472/32 "2011-12-27T13:08:29Z")
> [@Rick](#): > > I usually say: “Somehow I get the feeling you are about to tell me.” (Big smile) > About half the time it breaks the ice and I get a warning, the other half the cop knocks off several MPH to lower the fine. > Either way works for me. I’d go for something like this as well. Dodge the question, but do it politely (saying “no comment” or something achieves the same goal legally, but it might piss off the officer personally and makes it less likely he’ll let you off with a warning, if he was inclined to do so before). ---
**Author:** ![Rick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/9f8e36/32.png) [@Rick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rick)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2011, 2:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-answer-do-you-know-how-fast-you-were-going/607472/33 "2011-12-27T14:06:54Z")
You can always take the comedy approach like Mort Sahl did when stopped for speeding in a Shelby Cobra Officer: Do you know how fast you were going? Mort: No sir, I was busy in the engine room. ---
**Author:** ![Indian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/c0e974/32.png) [@Indian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Indian)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2011, 2:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-answer-do-you-know-how-fast-you-were-going/607472/34 "2011-12-27T14:32:50Z")
Fast enough to meet you here. ---
**Author:** ![Paul\_in\_Qatar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ccd318/32.png) [@Paul\_in\_Qatar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Paul_in_Qatar)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2011, 2:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-answer-do-you-know-how-fast-you-were-going/607472/35 "2011-12-27T14:40:34Z")
The correct answer to any question that is not about registration, insurance and identification is a dumb look. ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2011, 2:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-answer-do-you-know-how-fast-you-were-going/607472/36 "2011-12-27T14:45:35Z")
> [@Exapno\_Mapcase](#): > > Do any real-life officers ever say this? I was asked this by a police officer here in the UK last year - I answered with a question (well, two questions); “Was I exceeding the speed limit? What was my exact speed?”. He started talking about fines and endorsements, then seemed to lose heart and told me to be carefully on my way. I think maybe he didn’t know my exact speed, although I think it probably was 35-40mph (in a 30 limit). ---
**Author:** ![jpserafi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/45deac/32.png) [@jpserafi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jpserafi)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2011, 2:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-answer-do-you-know-how-fast-you-were-going/607472/37 "2011-12-27T14:55:06Z")
“If I guess right, will i not get a ticket?” If the cop is a stiff i wouldnt recommend it but if he seems ok he may get a kick out of the answer. Who knows he may let u go. Its worked for me actually. ---
**Author:** ![BubbaDog](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bubbadog/32/333_2.png) [@BubbaDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BubbaDog)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2011, 3:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-answer-do-you-know-how-fast-you-were-going/607472/38 "2011-12-27T15:25:52Z")
I once told the cop “about 5 miles an hour right before I stopped here”. ---
**Author:** ![Max\_Torque](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e9bcb4/32.png) [@Max\_Torque](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Max_Torque)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2011, 3:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-answer-do-you-know-how-fast-you-were-going/607472/39 "2011-12-27T15:28:50Z")
“No sir, I was too busy trying to get that bee out the window.” ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2011, 3:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-answer-do-you-know-how-fast-you-were-going/607472/40 "2011-12-27T15:35:08Z")
“If you had as much to drink as I’ve had, would _you_ know how fast you were going?” [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-answer-do-you-know-how-fast-you-were-going/607472.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-answer-do-you-know-how-fast-you-were-going/607472.md?page=3)