Published on Tuesday, May 8, 2007
in the WEAR TV News

Getting Out Of A Speeding Ticket "Can You?"

If you've ever been pulled over in a traffic stop, you've probably given the officer your best excuse to avoid being ticketed...

So is there any way you can increase your odds of driving away with just a warning?

Channel Three's Bill Pearson tries to find out, in this special report.

You're running late... You step on the gas just a little harder. Next thing you know, flashing lights are in the rearview mirror...

You get that sinking feeling.. and then you hear those dreaded words

"Your license and registration, please."

You start thinking of excuses... Is there any way you can get away with a warning...

CPL Brian Davis/Florida Highway Patrol: "Do you have a legal excuse for running 26 miles over the speed limit?"

Woman Driver: "Late for work."

FHP Davis: Your late for work?

FHP Davis: The speeding citation, 26 miles over the limit is @208.50.

FHP Davis: On the driver's license restriction, the fee is $118.50.

Just like that, 327 dollars in traffic fines.

Leiutenant Steve Preston with the Florida Highway Patrol tells me there are no hard and fast rules for ticketing...

LT Steve Preston/FHP: It all boils down to officer discretion, whether or not they issue a citation or issue a warning. Warnings are usually issued for minor infractions and tickets are used for more hazardous moving violations.

Here are a few tips that might help your cause..

First, honesty is the best policy..

That helped out this driver, clocked doing 56 in a 40 mile per hour zone.

FHP Davis: Do you have a legal excuse for driving so fast?

Male Driver: "I'm late for a funeral."

FHP Davis: "Okay sir, what time is that funeral?"

Male Driver: "It's at 11 O'Clock."

FHP Davis: 11 OClock? Right up the road?

Male Driver: Yes sir, right down on Palafox.

FHP Davis: Okay, please slow down.

Male Driver: Thank you sir.

Our second tip... Stay in your car and don't move... The reason for that?

Bill Pearson/Reporting: CPL Brian Davis also has to keep safety in consideration anytime he makes a traffic stop. And troopers say you need to do the same, anytime youre pulled over, especially on the side of a busy road.

LT Steve Preston: Pull over at a safe location. Remain in the car unless youre asked to exit. Keep your hands visible on the steering wheel.

Woman Driver: I didn't realize I was going that fast, I must have just passed somebody.

Please don't give me a ticket, Im an ER nurse, and Im in the Coast Guard too. Im one of you guys. I serve my country. Were just tired, we just got off the cruise ship.

She was 16 miles per hour over the speed limit, but drove away with only a written warning....

Which brings us to our final tip... Don't argue..

The highway is no place to start a debate...

If you feel you've been wrongly cited, you can fight it.... but troopers ask that you take that battle to traffic court.