# Speeding ticket - how to answer cop questions **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [May 13, 2009, 1:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/speeding-ticket-how-to-answer-cop-questions/496237 "2009-05-13T01:09:49Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![tim314](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tim314/32/3468_2.png) [@tim314](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tim314)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2009, 6:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/speeding-ticket-how-to-answer-cop-questions/496237/21 "2009-05-13T06:49:43Z")
This kind of reminds me of my conversation with the border guard as I was coming back from visiting a friend in Canada last weekend. I was giving my usual long-winded answers to seemingly simple questions (what can I say, I’m a stickler for detail), and she wasn’t finding this very reassuring. Guard: Are you nervous? Me: Should I be? Guard: . . . I’m going to need you to open your trunk. Apparently that wasn’t the right answer. I didn’t really mind that part, but I was a bit irritated by the smug look she gave when she discovered the perfectly legal jar of salsa that I had forgotten to declare. I’m probably on some sort of watch list now.:rolleyes: The Canadian border guards are consistently much nicer than their American counterparts. (One time I got into Canada without even having to show ID – but the guard did ask me to roll down my rear window so he could pet my dog.:D) Maybe they can afford to be nicer, since there’s hardly anyone out there who really hates Canadians . . . but perhaps I have the causality reversed. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Second\_Stone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/bbe5ce/32.png) [@The\_Second\_Stone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Second_Stone)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2009, 6:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/speeding-ticket-how-to-answer-cop-questions/496237/22 "2009-05-13T06:59:41Z")
The answer to this question is: “My wife/husband left me last week to shack up with a cop. I thought you were trying to give him/her back.” ---
**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:** [May 13, 2009, 8:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/speeding-ticket-how-to-answer-cop-questions/496237/23 "2009-05-13T08:43:07Z")
> [@Bijou\_Drains](#): > > Turns out they started a big campaign today to target speeders, no way was I getting off. > > [http://www.townofcary.org/news/news2009/police-patientpayoff9.htm](http://www.townofcary.org/news/news2009/police-patientpayoff9.htm) There are some times when we have to give tickets with little or no discretion. Other times we have more leeway. Each officer has criteria with which we pesonally use to decide if a ticket will be issued. For instance I like to give township residents a break when I can to foster good will with those I may need help from in the future. Sometimes we are doing a state mandated program and have to write everyone. I don’t particularly like that aspect of the job but it is part of what I am paid for. > [@Bijou\_Drains](#): > > As I said the first words out of her mouth were why she stopped me, maybe she’s a rookie and doesn’t know the drill. There is no drill. Each officer develops their own style. If she was on a mandated program to write tickets she probably wasn’t looking to deep at anything else. > [@BlankSlate](#): > > A cop once told me you can give a ticket or give a lecture, but never both. So I would have just shrugged. You write me a ticket, there’s not going to be any chit-chat. On our ticket books there are several guidelines printed on each one. One of the guidelines is “Don’t lecture the driver.” Not part of our job and it is stupid to do. ---
**Author:** ![Bijou\_Drains](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bijou_drains/32/2814_2.png) [@Bijou\_Drains](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bijou_Drains)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2009, 12:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/speeding-ticket-how-to-answer-cop-questions/496237/24 "2009-05-13T12:34:24Z")
Ticket books? Have you noticed it is 2009? My ticket came out of a laser printer. ---
**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:** [May 13, 2009, 12:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/speeding-ticket-how-to-answer-cop-questions/496237/25 "2009-05-13T12:38:10Z")
> [@Bijou\_Drains](#): > > Ticket books? Have you noticed it is 2009? My ticket came out of a laser printer. We don’t have extention cords that reach all the way back to headquarters. Maybe some day. ---
**Author:** ![GaryM](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/garym/32/241_2.png) [@GaryM](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GaryM)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2009, 12:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/speeding-ticket-how-to-answer-cop-questions/496237/26 "2009-05-13T12:48:49Z")
> [@Loach](#): > > We don’t have extention cords that reach all the way back to headquarters. Maybe some day. And the Cat 5 cable too! They get kinked easily. ---
**Author:** ![JerseyFrank](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/bcef8e/32.png) [@JerseyFrank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JerseyFrank)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2009, 12:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/speeding-ticket-how-to-answer-cop-questions/496237/27 "2009-05-13T12:53:16Z")
> [@Loach](#): > > We don’t have extention cords that reach all the way back to headquarters. Maybe some day. Have you considered batteries or power inverters? 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Bijou\_Drains](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bijou_drains/32/2814_2.png) [@Bijou\_Drains](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bijou_Drains)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2009, 1:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/speeding-ticket-how-to-answer-cop-questions/496237/28 "2009-05-13T13:01:03Z")
I might be wrong but I think cop cars with laptops, WiFi and printers are common these days. ---
**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:** [May 13, 2009, 1:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/speeding-ticket-how-to-answer-cop-questions/496237/29 "2009-05-13T13:01:54Z")
> [@JerseyFrank](#): > > Have you considered batteries or power inverters? 🙂 Truthfully we have so much crap in our cars that it can be difficult to see out of them. It certainly is cramped. Of course every department would default to the most expensive geewhiz equipment they could get if money is no object. But that is not the case. We have laptops and digital recorders and data transmitters and radar units all running off of inverters. If they can get a grant to put in printers I’m sure they would. But there is no way they are going to budget for it. ---
**Author:** ![Boyo\_Jim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/87869e/32.png) [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2009, 1:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/speeding-ticket-how-to-answer-cop-questions/496237/30 "2009-05-13T13:11:32Z")
My friend the retired cop warned me never to answer a cop with anything that even comes close to an admission you know you were violating a traffic law. The example she used was the question, “Do you know how fast you were going?” As Dio sad, they are looking for a confession, and if they get one there won’t really be any option for you later to make up any stuff about inaccurate radar. The correct answer is, “I’m not certain.” ---
**Author:** ![UltraVires](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/ecccb3/32.png) [@UltraVires](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UltraVires)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2009, 1:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/speeding-ticket-how-to-answer-cop-questions/496237/31 "2009-05-13T13:15:13Z")
> [@Loach](#): > > On our ticket books there are several guidelines printed on each one. One of the guidelines is “Don’t lecture the driver.” Not part of our job and it is stupid to do. The cops that I have been pulled over by must not have been using the same ticket book as you.😉 ---
**Author:** ![natterj](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/dbc845/32.png) [@natterj](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/natterj)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2009, 1:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/speeding-ticket-how-to-answer-cop-questions/496237/32 "2009-05-13T13:28:13Z")
> [@hroark2112](#): > > Thanks for that link!!! I will slow down on my way to work tomorrow now. > > I hate that we don’t have a location visible, would be nice to know where people are from…wonder how many Cary people we have here! We’ll, here’s another one from Cary who is also grateful for the link. I drove like a maniac down Davis Drive yesterday evening trying to get home in time to watch the Hurricanes game (hockey on radio just doesn’t cut it for me). I’m surprised I didn’t get nailed. I will be more careful now. > [@Loach](#): > > Truthfully we have so much crap in our cars that it can be difficult to see out of them. It certainly is cramped. Of course every department would default to the most expensive geewhiz equipment they could get if money is no object. But that is not the case. We have laptops and digital recorders and data transmitters and radar units all running off of inverters. If they can get a grant to put in printers I’m sure they would. But there is no way they are going to budget for it. Cary NC is a pretty affluent suburb so they can probably afford all the latest gadgetry. I just hope they don’t use any of it against me 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Bijou\_Drains](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bijou_drains/32/2814_2.png) [@Bijou\_Drains](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bijou_Drains)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2009, 1:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/speeding-ticket-how-to-answer-cop-questions/496237/33 "2009-05-13T13:30:38Z")
Cary has so much extra money they can waste it on things like electronic message boards that cost $1 mil and are used 1 day a year. I actually live in Apex. I didn’t realize that my link would be helpful to others who live locally. 🙂 ---
**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:** [May 13, 2009, 1:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/speeding-ticket-how-to-answer-cop-questions/496237/34 "2009-05-13T13:45:14Z")
> [@Boyo\_Jim](#): > > My friend the retired cop warned me never to answer a cop with anything that even comes close to an admission you know you were violating a traffic law. The example she used was the question, “Do you know how fast you were going?” As Dio sad, they are looking for a confession, and if they get one there won’t really be any option for you later to make up any stuff about inaccurate radar. The correct answer is, “I’m not certain.” In 11 years someones “confession” during a stop has never come up in court or during a plea deal. Not once. Not saying it isn’t possible but it really isn’t that important. Most traffic violations do not have an element of intent. It doesn’t matter how fast you thought you were going. What matters are my observations, what the radar unit said and if the equipment was working. You are not trained. Your speedometer is not calibrated. When I say something like “Do you know how fast you were going?” it is more of conversation starter than anything. But it is possible that someday someone will answer with “I didn’t mean to run over that hobo.” ---
**Author:** ![Bijou\_Drains](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bijou_drains/32/2814_2.png) [@Bijou\_Drains](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bijou_Drains)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2009, 1:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/speeding-ticket-how-to-answer-cop-questions/496237/35 "2009-05-13T13:56:14Z")
How often does a person try to fight a speeding ticket? I think that is very rare but maybe not. In my case I will just ask for it to go to 59 in a 50. ---
**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:** [May 13, 2009, 2:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/speeding-ticket-how-to-answer-cop-questions/496237/36 "2009-05-13T14:01:54Z")
> [@Bijou\_Drains](#): > > How often does a person try to fight a speeding ticket? I think that is very rare but maybe not. In my case I will just ask for it to go to 59 in a 50. In my career I had to get on the stand for a speeding ticket once. He lost. Most people plead not guilty to be able to come in to get the ticket reduced. Which is hardly ever a problem. ---
**Author:** ![UncleRojelio](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/unclerojelio/32/3160_2.png) [@UncleRojelio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UncleRojelio)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2009, 2:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/speeding-ticket-how-to-answer-cop-questions/496237/37 "2009-05-13T14:27:03Z")
> [@Loach](#): > > In my career I had to get on the stand for a speeding ticket once. He lost. Most people plead not guilty to be able to come in to get the ticket reduced. Which is hardly ever a problem. I haven’t gotten a ticket in about a decade now (knock on wood), but when it comes, even if it is for 66 in a 65, it will be well deserved. I prolly won’t bother fighting it. ---
**Author:** ![A\_Spoonful\_of\_Awesome](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/3be4f8/32.png) [@A\_Spoonful\_of\_Awesome](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/A_Spoonful_of_Awesome)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2009, 2:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/speeding-ticket-how-to-answer-cop-questions/496237/38 "2009-05-13T14:30:27Z")
> [@ParentalAdvisory](#): > > When ever I got that question, I just tell them I’m sorry and that I was being stupid and should have realized. I’ve gotten out of tickets with just a warning saying this, but not everytime. But if there’s any chance you walk, it will be with those words. This. I have a friend who is a traffic cop and he says that this sort of honesty is so refreshing to hear, that many cops will let you slide. Not always, but it increases the odds. Didn’t help me when I was nailed for 93 in a 55 though. Clocked by an airplane, no less. Guess they gotta pay for it somehow. ---
**Author:** ![UltraVires](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/ecccb3/32.png) [@UltraVires](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UltraVires)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2009, 2:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/speeding-ticket-how-to-answer-cop-questions/496237/39 "2009-05-13T14:37:15Z")
Cary=Containment Area for Relocated Yankees ---
**Author:** ![don\_t\_ask](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e68b1a/32.png) [@don\_t\_ask](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/don_t_ask)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2009, 2:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/speeding-ticket-how-to-answer-cop-questions/496237/40 "2009-05-13T14:51:07Z")
The only time I ever got off I said that I didn’t realize how fast as I was going because the car was bigger than my last one and I had only bought it the day before. The cop smiled and asked for the registration papers and lo and behold the registration was signed over to me the day before. She laughed and said she would have bet money I was lying but just be careful and let me go. Other than that every chat has ended in a ticket. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/speeding-ticket-how-to-answer-cop-questions/496237.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/speeding-ticket-how-to-answer-cop-questions/496237.md?page=3)