# 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:** 3
**Author:** ![Hyperelastic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/a3d4f5/32.png) [@Hyperelastic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hyperelastic)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2011, 3:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-answer-do-you-know-how-fast-you-were-going/607472/41 "2011-12-27T15:43:20Z")
Once a cop asked me why I was going 55 in a 35, and I said, “I didn’t think I was going that fast”, which is quicker thinking than I can usually manage. ---
**Author:** ![Lukeinva](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lukeinva/32/17872_2.png) [@Lukeinva](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lukeinva)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2011, 3:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-answer-do-you-know-how-fast-you-were-going/607472/42 "2011-12-27T15:55:18Z")
“I was driving at the posted speed limit, sir.” ---
**Author:** ![Don\_t\_Panic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/don_t_panic/32/398_2.png) [@Don\_t\_Panic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Don_t_Panic)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2011, 4:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-answer-do-you-know-how-fast-you-were-going/607472/43 "2011-12-27T16:02:59Z")
I heard that Werner Heisenberg was pulled over once. You can guess the rest… ---
**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2011, 4:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-answer-do-you-know-how-fast-you-were-going/607472/44 "2011-12-27T16:05:48Z")
Since there is no simple factual answer to this question, let’s move it over to IMHO. Colibri General Questions Moderator ---
**Author:** ![Brown\_Eyed\_Girl](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/brown_eyed_girl/32/3574_2.png) [@Brown\_Eyed\_Girl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Brown_Eyed_Girl)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2011, 4:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-answer-do-you-know-how-fast-you-were-going/607472/45 "2011-12-27T16:12:41Z")
> [@The\_Second\_Stone](#): > > I decline to answer that question on the grounds that it might incriminate me. Why? To admit your speed would somehow incriminate you? For a traffic infraction? Do they throw you in the pokey now for speeding? ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2011, 4:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-answer-do-you-know-how-fast-you-were-going/607472/46 "2011-12-27T16:13:42Z")
“Aren’t you cops supposed to be at least sort of physically fit?” ---
**Author:** ![Brown\_Eyed\_Girl](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/brown_eyed_girl/32/3574_2.png) [@Brown\_Eyed\_Girl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Brown_Eyed_Girl)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2011, 4:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-answer-do-you-know-how-fast-you-were-going/607472/47 "2011-12-27T16:14:03Z")
> [@Lukeinva](#): > > “I was driving at the posted speed limit, sir.” I tried that once when I was young and dumb. Protip: \*\*Know \*\*what the posted speed limit is before trying that tactic. :smack: ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2011, 4:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-answer-do-you-know-how-fast-you-were-going/607472/48 "2011-12-27T16:23:21Z")
I currently pull no one over but I have do so many times. The quick answer is it really doesn’t matter what you say. Speeding is not an offense in which intent is an element. You either are over the limit or you are not. If you meant to or were unaware of how fast you were going does not matter at all. You are not incriminating yourself. The speed you were measured at did that. If I ever said something like “do you know why I pulled you over” it was basically just a conversation starter. Sometimes I would ask a question, sometimes I would just tell them what I observed. I was not trying to trick them into saying something. You will be found guilty or not due to my observations, not any statement you make. In my experience the best way to get out of a ticket is to be polite and honest. But sometimes I still had to give a ticket because its part of the job they pay me to do. Yes you were more likely to get one if I was short that month (no one likes getting yelled at by the boss). You were much more likely to get a ticket if I was sent somewhere in particular due to citizen complaints (that happens a lot. If you see a cop running radar somewhere there is a decent chance it was because someone wrote a letter to the mayor). And when I was in traffic I simply had to write more because that was a large part of the job. But I have never been pressured to write tickets for revenue or any reasons not directly related to police work. And I have often let people go with a warning or with a much less expensive no point ticket. ---
**Author:** ![Mijin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mijin/32/9369_2.png) [@Mijin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mijin)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2011, 4:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-answer-do-you-know-how-fast-you-were-going/607472/49 "2011-12-27T16:23:37Z")
I’m told that if you respond “Suck my balls!” it’s the secret code to indicate you’re an undercover officer and he should let you continue immediately. You may want to also wink, just to be sure there is no misunderstanding. ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2011, 4:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-answer-do-you-know-how-fast-you-were-going/607472/50 "2011-12-27T16:24:52Z")
> [@Colibri](#): > > Since there is no simple factual answer to this question, let’s move it over to IMHO. > > Colibri > General Questions Moderator I think there is an answer. But I suppose thats only my opinion. ---
**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, 4:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-answer-do-you-know-how-fast-you-were-going/607472/51 "2011-12-27T16:30:46Z")
> [@Loach](#): > > Yes you were more likely to get one if I was short that month (no one likes getting yelled at by the boss). I seem to recall most police departments vehemently denying any sort of quota system for tickets. But you seem to be saying there was one in your case. Have I got that wrong, or would you care to clarify? ---
**Author:** ![Anaamika](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Anaamika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anaamika)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2011, 4:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-answer-do-you-know-how-fast-you-were-going/607472/52 "2011-12-27T16:54:38Z")
I say “No, I’m sorry, officer, was I speeding?” with a sweet smile. I haven’t been caught often for speeding (I rarely speed very much) but usually the question plus the willingness to be corrected makes them go easy on me. Plus, I have a clean record, so that helps. ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2011, 4:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-answer-do-you-know-how-fast-you-were-going/607472/53 "2011-12-27T16:55:10Z")
> [@Mach Tuck](#): > > I seem to recall most police departments vehemently denying any sort of quota system for tickets. But you seem to be saying there was one in your case. Have I got that wrong, or would you care to clarify? A specific quota? No I have never been given a number. But traffic enforcement is part of the job. So zero means you are not doing your job. Through experience you find the general area which works for the boss. And that might change as personnel changes. Some put more emphasis on certain aspects of the job and others have different priorities. I can’t say that quotas do not exist. I can only say that I have never been given a quota and there has never been one where I work. ---
**Author:** ![silk1976](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/8edcca/32.png) [@silk1976](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silk1976)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2011, 5:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-answer-do-you-know-how-fast-you-were-going/607472/54 "2011-12-27T17:02:22Z")
Q: “Do you know how fast you were going?” A: “Not as fast as you were going in order to catch up with me.” I doubt that’d work. ---
**Author:** ![Kozmik](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/8dc957/32.png) [@Kozmik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kozmik)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2011, 5:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-answer-do-you-know-how-fast-you-were-going/607472/55 "2011-12-27T17:09:35Z")
Q: “Do you know how fast you were going?” A: “Yes, I always go the speed limit.” Airtight. ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2011, 5:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-answer-do-you-know-how-fast-you-were-going/607472/56 "2011-12-27T17:10:03Z")
“I wasn’t speeding, officer; I was _qualifying_.” ---
**Author:** ![Scubaqueen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c0e974/32.png) [@Scubaqueen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scubaqueen)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2011, 5:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-answer-do-you-know-how-fast-you-were-going/607472/57 "2011-12-27T17:13:36Z")
\*\*Loach \*\*beat me to it. I haven’t had an honest-to-god speeding or anything ticket since the early 1980s because number one, I’m a damn careful driver, and number two (as a last resort), I didn’t make an ass of myself when I did get stopped. I happen to be female, but it’s my belief that the gender doesn’t matter. The driver’s attitude does. I have friends, relatives, and an ex boyfriend who are police officers and they have coached me. Over and over I’ve heard that every traffic stop is an unknown that could conceivably end the uniform’s life right then and there. You may be Betty Crocker or Mister Rogers behind the wheel, but the uniform coming up to your car window doesn’t know that. And, if they don’t have the retaining strap flicked off their service weapon holster and one hand on it as they approach you, then they’re a damn fool. I’ve gotten my little tush out of several speeding tickets in the last thirty years simply be being polite and non-confrontational - and smart enough to have my hands on the steering wheel where the uniform can clearly see them as they approach the car. Makes for much better relations between potential traffic ticket-giver and receiver. The uniform is likely going to be in a much better frame of mind to let you go with a warning if you make the effort not to lengthen their day any. ---
**Author:** ![ducati](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/cc9497/32.png) [@ducati](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ducati)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2011, 5:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-answer-do-you-know-how-fast-you-were-going/607472/58 "2011-12-27T17:27:03Z")
As a former LEO, my driving is proper, legal and safe at all times. Unlike some cops, I don’t freak out at people exceeding the speed limit on major arteries or open highways. That said, on an Interstate highway, or open, clear road, no, I’m not driving 55 if I can help it. So it was good fortune that I was pulled over last week for the first time in 10 years by DeKalb County PD. Currently, they’re not writing tickets due to pay [conflicts](http://www.ajc.com/news/dekalb/dekalb-police-write-30-586771.html)with the [county](http://dekalbofficersspeak.blogspot.com/2011/07/ticket-strike-now.html). Although I was exceeding the posted limit by 63%, he never asked for ID or anything. Just said “Slow down.” & let me go. Maybe it’s just because I was very polite.😛 ---
**Author:** ![Frylock](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/ce7236/32.png) [@Frylock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frylock)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2011, 5:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-answer-do-you-know-how-fast-you-were-going/607472/59 "2011-12-27T17:39:23Z")
I once passed a school bus which (apparently) had its stop sign out. (I was aware of the bus, and was watching for the sign, and didn’t see one, but the officer says there was one.) He asked me if I knew why I’d been pulled over, and I told him I supposed it was for the school bus though I was sure it didn’t have its sign out. He said he was glad I gave that answer because it showed I was paying attention and simply missed something, whereas others don’t even pay attention or sometimes seem not even to care. He gave me a warning instead of a ticket. This may be relevant to the OP. ---
**Author:** ![Gary\_Robson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gary_robson/32/3448_2.png) [@Gary\_Robson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gary_Robson)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2011, 5:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-answer-do-you-know-how-fast-you-were-going/607472/60 "2011-12-27T17:42:28Z")
> [@Colibri](#): > > I certainly had a cop in Florida ask me why I thought he stopped me. Once upon a time when I was young and stupid, I was leaving a movie theater with a car full of friends. Traffic was heavy enough that I just couldn’t seem to find an opportunity to make my left turn, so I turned right and hung a U-turn at the next intersection. One of my friends said that was illegal, and I responded that it wasn’t posted “no U-turn” and it was perfectly safe on a road that wide. Two blocks later, the red lights came on behind me. I pulled over, and the officer came up to me and started the dialog: Him: Do you know why I pulled you over? Me: I thought that U-turn was legal! Him: I pulled you over because your taillight is out. Now tell me about that U-turn… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-answer-do-you-know-how-fast-you-were-going/607472.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-answer-do-you-know-how-fast-you-were-going/607472.md?page=4)