How can you reduce your chances of receiving a speeding ticket?
Behind the Blue Line — Michigan State Police Trooper Duane Zook takes your law enforcement questions:
Question: How can I reduce my chances of receiving a speeding ticket? And can a police officer keep an out-of-state driver’s license when issuing a ticket?
Answer: Those are two great questions. I can't tell you how to get out of a speeding ticket, but I will tell you about my experiences dealing with the motoring public and what has worked on me. Every police officer has his or her own style of enforcement action, given the type of infraction that occurred.
When I do speed enforcement, I use a LIDAR device (laser), which enables me to isolate a single vehicle out of a fairly large group. My hiding spot usually allows me to shoot a vehicle by putting my laser on a target vehicle before the driver of the speeding vehicle knows he or she has been caught.
A Michigan State Police trooper looks through a radar gun from atop the Geddes Road bridge for speeders going southbound on US-23 in Ann Arbor Township.
File photo
I can keep my LIDAR on the same target vehicle and hypothetically obtain a first reading of 90 mph. Keeping my LIDAR on the vehicle allows me to see when the driver spots my patrol vehicle sitting in the median. I can see in the viewing window of my LIDAR how the target vehicle speed will dramatically drop. A LIDAR device can accurately obtain a speed reading from a distance up to 1,500 feet or greater than a quarter mile.
When stopped, don’t minimize what you were doing — be honest and up front. This shows integrity. Avoid being argumentative and be apologetic. Having your paperwork in order and being polite is always good. Be sure when stopped to pull over to the right and give the officer plenty of room. In hours of darkness, turn your vehicle's dome light on. Lastly, be truthful with prior citations, we (officers) will check.
When stopping and issuing a citation to an out-of-state driver, many police agencies have the option to take “bond.” Common practice is for the officer to take $100 cash bond. If an out-of-state motorist can't provide funds to post bond, the officer may take possession of the motorist's operator’s license in lieu of cash bond. The posted bond is to assure the motorist pays the citation to the appropriate court jurisdiction. When a license is taken, the issued citation can be used to legally operate a motor vehicle.
Did you know?
- A driver can be cited for driving below the minimum freeway speed of 55 mph. An exception to this rule is of course while driving in inclement weather conditions, construction zones or when other posted messages designated for traffic safety are present. Studies show variance in speed can contribute to motor vehicle crashes.
- A pedestrian can legally walk along a highway (excluding freeways) where sidewalks are not provided as long as the person walks on the left side of the roadway facing traffic. When sidewalks are provided, pedestrians are subject to receiving a civil infraction when walking along a highway.
You can find these laws at www.legislature.mi.gov, along with additional legal resources at www.michigan.gov/msp.
Do you have a question you want answered? Every Tuesday, I'll post the answers to your questions here. Send me a question by e-mail at ypsilantipost@gmail.com.
Comments
SonnyDog09
Wed, Feb 16, 2011 : 9:42 p.m.
"When stopped, don't minimize what you were doing — be honest and up front. This shows integrity." I wish cops would follow this advice, and be honest when they mess up, instead of hiding behind the blue wall of silence and their union to keep from facing consequences for their mistakes.
Mike
Wed, Feb 16, 2011 : 2:38 p.m.
Here's an easy way to avoid tickets: lay off a significant portion of the police force. If all they have to do is give out tickets to people driving average speeds then there are too many police. Fire them. Get rid of them. They are not serving a constructive purpose. That, or we can wait until enough injustice is done and class action lawsuits begin to pile up against Ann Arbor City Hall for engaging in fraud by handing out speeding tickets in illegally posted speed zones.
rusty shackelford
Wed, Feb 16, 2011 : 4:59 p.m.
Unfortunately, towns like Ann Arbor will never stop making tickets a big priority. Too much $. Law enforcement would be what would suffer.
KJMClark
Wed, Feb 16, 2011 : 12:13 p.m.
How about a question related to the sidewalk part. What if a sidewalk is 'provided' but is completely unusable? As in, the roadway is perfectly clear, but the sidewalk is covered with ice with 12" of snow on top, and untrimmed tree branches sticking out into it? We have a lot of runners who use the road in that situation. You'll have to go to case law to find an answer to that. I think I have a good guess at the answer, but it would be good to know.
JS
Wed, Feb 16, 2011 : 4:11 a.m.
I think several of you should watch this video: <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6wXkI4t7nuc" rel='nofollow'>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6wXkI4t7nuc</a> I know it's a long video, but I think this guy knows a lot more than just about anyone else in regards to what you should say to the police. The answer? Nothing, never talk to the police. no matter what.
JS
Sat, Feb 19, 2011 : 5:37 p.m.
I agree and understand about identifying yourself, but the "do you know how fast you were going?" question is simply bait the police use to get you to slip up. Anything you say, over and above identification can only be used against you and not in your defense, therefor silence is the best defense around.
Matt Cooper
Thu, Feb 17, 2011 : 5:14 a.m.
I watched about the first 10 minutes, so he may have talked about it later, but your video does not talk about when you are required to talk to the police. 1. If a police officer pulls you over and requests to see your driver license, you are required to provide it. This is certainly a form of communication. 2. If a police officer, subsequent to some action such as pulling you over, asks you your name you are required by law to tell him. Dno't think so? Try not telling them your name next time you get pulled over and see how quickly you are arrested. It is a crime to not identify yourself to a police officer upon request.
rusty shackelford
Wed, Feb 16, 2011 : 4:58 p.m.
The linked video includes scenarios regarding why it is a bad idea to talk to the police even when one has done nothing wrong.
jcj
Wed, Feb 16, 2011 : 12:48 p.m.
I choose not to talk to a number of people. But police officers are not in that group! When I start breaking the law I might rethink that.
Jim Walker
Wed, Feb 16, 2011 : 2:58 a.m.
Several points 1. The police officer did NOT set the posted limit. Limits posted below the normal safe travel speeds, as are common in MI, are not the fault of the officer enforcing them. 2. Michigan State Police command officers strongly support realistic 85th percentile posted speed limits to maximize safety, see their booklet at <a href="http://www.michigan.gov/speedlimits" rel='nofollow'>www.michigan.gov/speedlimits</a> BUT many speed limits are set arbitrarily low by legislators and local politicians who do NOT follow the science to maximize safety. 3. Examples: 85th percentile speeds on rural freeways are 78-83 mph, but the statutory limit is 70 mph. Our "General Speed Limit" is 55 mph by law, but was 65 mph before 1974. A couple of rural highways now have limits corrected to 65, but many more need correction. 4. Ann Arbor and other cities have posted limits below the 30th or even 20th percentile limits, arbitrarily defining 70% or 80+% of all drivers as violators. This has NOTHING to do with safety or state law. Ann Arbor recently changed its city code to conform with state law and be able to set realistic speed limits, but it remains to be seen what will occur. 5. DO be polite and keep your hands visible because a traffic stop is a high stress situation for the officer. But do NOT admit to a particular speed and damage your chances to object in court. And, if you have ANY sense your ticket is not legal or is unfair, take the case to court. James C. Walker, Board Member-National Motorists Association Foundation, Ann Arbor, MI
RJA
Wed, Feb 16, 2011 : 1:42 a.m.
Oh my, but I don't think the questions were great ones. My answer would be, drive the speed limit. (no speeding ticket) As far as being ticketed from out of state, if your speeding you should get a ticket. And if sober, no drugs found and officer might give you a little rope. To argue, lie to an officer is going to get you nowhere. (they should arrest you and and your car as well as the drivers license) As far as Police have a hiding spot, I like it. It certainly doesn't mean that they don't care. Many people don't obey the law, and you can't make me believe that the speeder doesn't know he is speeding. If you come to a stop sign and your tires keep rolling, you didn't STOP! Should you be stopped by the hiding officer? YES and ticketed.
Macabre Sunset
Tue, Feb 15, 2011 : 8:52 p.m.
The Department of Transportation was kind enough to provide a separate lane for moralizing, preaching and the assumption that everything in life is black or white. It's called the right lane. Now kindly move to the side and let us have our discussion about how to coexist with patrol cars.
Arieswoman
Tue, Feb 15, 2011 : 7:14 p.m.
Don't you drivers just love those folks that walk on such busy roads as Huron River Drive? I don't think walkers have any business on such roads. As for speeding? SLOW DOWN.....do the speed limit!
jcj
Tue, Feb 15, 2011 : 6:51 p.m.
@ Faith "HIDING SPOT, people. If law enforcement gave a rip about us slowing down and/or safer driving habits, they wouldn't HIDE" What a joke! If you gave a rip about us slowing down and/or safer driving habits, YOU would be more upset with the spedders than the ones that stop them for driving too fast!!
Mark A.
Tue, Feb 15, 2011 : 5:11 p.m.
I don't speed on purpose, but I suggest hiring an attorney that specalizes in traffic court. I've never had a ticket that wasn't successfully plead down to a non-moving violation. Cop wins by not having to go to court. City still gets their fine for a non-moving violation and sometimes court costs. I win by my insurance not going up.
Matt Cooper
Thu, Feb 17, 2011 : 1:13 p.m.
LOL Yes! Hire a traffic attorney and spend $500 defending yourself against a speeding ticket that might cost $125. Or you could just pay the ticket and not do it again. Or better yet, just don't speed in the first place.
Roadman
Tue, Feb 15, 2011 : 5:29 p.m.
You are exactly correct. Most district courts will do this if the driver has a decent record. Exceptions are with some courts or if the driver has a bad attitude toward the police.
Faith
Tue, Feb 15, 2011 : 4:54 p.m.
"My **hiding spot** usually allows me to shoot a vehicle by putting my laser on a target vehicle before the driver of the speeding vehicle knows he or she has been caught." HIDING SPOT, people. If law enforcement gave a rip about us slowing down and/or safer driving habits, they wouldn't HIDE. They would be out there, cruising in traffic. When you see a police officer or sheriff or trooper, the natural tendency is to slow down (but don't slam on your brakes, dead giveaway you were speeding) and perhaps be more cautious. I would also appreciate if Michigan, like Ohio, would pass a law that while sitting in the median (after dark) law enforcement must have their lights on so drivers can see them. Seeing law enforcement is what slows people down. Not just ticketing citizens. HIDING is simply pure revenue generation. Just like lovable Roscoe P.Coltrane and his movable speed limit sign he placed at the bottom of a hill on The Dukes of Hazzard. I do appreciate the tips provided by the Trooper, though. Some are very helpful.
Matt Cooper
Thu, Feb 17, 2011 : 4:57 a.m.
Revenue generation? LOL So what? Speeding is speeding. And it's illegal regardless of what the reason for it is. "Oh, they shouldn't ticket speeders at this location because it's only about making money!!!" Again I say...So what? You don't wanna pay a speeding ticket, don't speed. Simple enough, right?
Faith
Tue, Feb 15, 2011 : 5:29 p.m.
I never said I liked OH cops better, my point is that they are more visible to motorists in general, especially on the turnpike. I still say it's revenue generation, and I am not much of a speeder, either.
chimarathon
Tue, Feb 15, 2011 : 5:19 p.m.
Yeah OH is great! Cops pull over on the left shoulder of the highway after a hill and left-hand curve, blocking 1/2 of the left most lane. And when you don't move over because 1)there is too much traffic 2)there is no time, the crazy whack job runs out into the lane waving at you to move over and slow down. OH cops are great! Anyone traveling on 90 around the Rocky River exit has been warned
Joe Citizen
Tue, Feb 15, 2011 : 5:12 p.m.
You assume (in error) that everyone speeds unless we see a police car. By hiding the police can catch the truly high speed dangerous drivers. Every speeder big and small slows down when they see the cop car. If the cops were out in the open then the really fast ones would have the same chances of getting a ticket as the guy who goes 5-10 over. I like the hiding. But then I'm not big on speeding so it wont matter to me.
Jake C
Tue, Feb 15, 2011 : 4:53 p.m.
I couldn't help but laugh at the start of this article: "Question: How can I reduce my chances of receiving a speeding ticket? And can a police officer keep an out-of-state driver's license when issuing a ticket? Answer: I can't tell you how to get out of a speeding ticket, [... Paraphrased:] Question two? Yes." But that would have been the shortest article in the history of the world! So being nice to an officer may or may not have an effect on whether you get a speeding ticket. Does it just have an effect on whether you'll get tazered if you don't have your dome light on, or your hands on your steering wheel? AA.com, how about a link to the stories you've written about how certain sections of road have abnormally low speed limits when compared to the average speed of traffic? Speed limits aren't supposed to be set by some arbitrary system that allows the police system to collect the maximum amount of fine money, they're supposed to be set by a calculation based on using the average speed of traffic and what kind of speed is safe for the surround conditions (# of homes, schools, hills, curves, etc).
Tony Dearing
Tue, Feb 15, 2011 : 5:01 p.m.
You can follow this link to find our recent coverage of the Ann Arbor City Council's decision to readopt sections of the Michigan Vehicle Code that deal with how speed limits are set in the city. <a href="http://www.annarbor.com/cgi-bin/mt/mt-search.cgi?blog_id=1&tag=speed%20limits&limit=20">http://www.annarbor.com/cgi-bin/mt/mt-search.cgi?blog_id=1&tag=speed%20limits&limit=20</a>
tim
Tue, Feb 15, 2011 : 4:13 p.m.
Watch out for speed traps ( usually coming into or out of a populated area ). You may think that the speed limit is higher if you don't see houses but some towns extend the slower speed limits well out into the countryside.
Joe Citizen
Tue, Feb 15, 2011 : 3:59 p.m.
Answer: Slow down
jcj
Tue, Feb 15, 2011 : 2:56 p.m.
Too bad there are so many that are not grown up enough to admit when they are wrong. How much more like a child could someone be?
Peacemaker
Tue, Feb 15, 2011 : 2:55 p.m.
After turning on the overhead light (at night), get out your driver's license and registration, put down your window, then PUT YOUR HANDS ON THE STEERING WHEEL WHERE THE OFFICER CAN CLEARLY SEE THEM AS HE APPROACHES THE CAR. Say "Yes, Sir" and "No, Sir" when answering his questions, and remember, if you have any good excuse, you will have a chance to tell it to the traffic court Referee. The side of the highway on a dark night is no place to argue with an armed police officer who doesn't know but what you are a drugged-up ex-con on parole and armed.
Matt Cooper
Thu, Feb 17, 2011 : 1:11 p.m.
lso, saying "Yes, sir" and "No, sir" is simply a matter of respect. It's not about a power trip unless you make it one. I say "Yes, sir" many times a day in my job and it isn't a power thing in the least. It's called common decency.
John B.
Wed, Feb 16, 2011 : 10:31 p.m.
Peregrine, it's not required, just adviseable. You don't have to do it if you don't think it necessary. It just shows respect for someone in a high-risk situation where A) their adrenelin is probably elevated, and B) they have their hand on a loaded gun. The main thing IMO is to realize that an officer's biggest fear is often that some idiot is going to shoot him/her in a traffic-stop situation (unfortunately, it happens). So the advice to keep your hands visable and have your license and Insurance papers ready when the officer initially approaches your vehicle is just that, (very good) advice. I can tell you that it has worked very well for me. I also tell the truth about how fast I was going (if I know, which usually I do). Lastly, to those (others) that say they never speed, baloney! I don't buy it.
Peregrine
Wed, Feb 16, 2011 : 5:20 a.m.
I agree that someone who's pulled over should make the police officer's job easier (e.g., not be combative) and make it clear that they are not a risk to the officer (e.g., use of dome light, placement of hands). But I have a problem with the "yes, Sir" and "no, Sir". Why should that be necessary? Giving someone a ticket should not be a power trip for the police officer.
toofmullets
Tue, Feb 15, 2011 : 3:58 p.m.
I think the steering wheel thing has helped me w/ police officers on 2 seperate occassions. Good advice.
jcj
Tue, Feb 15, 2011 : 2:54 p.m.
@ rusty "It's not necessarily good advice for the motorist. If you admit you were doing something illegal, you may still get a ticket anyway, and you will have zero grounds to contest it" Right! Honesty is NEVER the best policy! That's what I teach my grandkids! It appears you would not advise anyone to admit wrongdoing no matter what the circumstance! @A2 .com How about a thumbs down spot to let people know how lame some of their "arguments" are!
rusty shackelford
Tue, Feb 15, 2011 : 9:23 p.m.
These police articles all over annarbor.com are written in the interest of the police, not necessarily citizens at large.
jinxplayer
Tue, Feb 15, 2011 : 3:10 p.m.
I would downvote your comment if I could.
rusty shackelford
Tue, Feb 15, 2011 : 2:39 p.m.
"When stopped, don't minimize what you were doing — be honest and up front." This is good advice from the POV of a police officer, because it makes their job easier. It's not necessarily good advice for the motorist. If you admit you were doing something illegal, you may still get a ticket anyway, and you will have zero grounds to contest it. It is perhaps better to politely say you didn't realize you were doing anything wrong, and when the officer informs you why you were pulled over say something like "I'm sorry, I didn't realize that was the case." If you choose to contest it later, you won't already have admitted you committed the infraction. Or, you could chance it, admit you were speeding, and hope the state police (which pretty much exists in order to give tickets) won't give you a ticket. Of course if you're from out of state, the cop knows you probably won't contest the ticket, so your best course of action probably actually is to suck up and hope they like you enough (which they probably won't).
rusty shackelford
Wed, Feb 16, 2011 : 5:02 p.m.
Don't forget playing the straight man in stoner flicks
Joe Citizen
Tue, Feb 15, 2011 : 3:54 p.m.
you forgot their second reason for existing... changing motorists tires.
Arbuckle
Tue, Feb 15, 2011 : 2:21 p.m.
Trooper Zook may not have the answer, but I do! In fact, my method is 100% guaranteed! Q: How can you reduce your chances of receiving a speeding ticket? A: Don't speed! DURRRRRR
Joe Citizen
Tue, Feb 15, 2011 : 3:53 p.m.
Thank you!
mannyredline
Tue, Feb 15, 2011 : 2:15 p.m.
The best way to avoid a ticket is to not drive in Ann Arbor. I had a perfect driving record until I moved here. I drive within the law here too. The judge agreed with the officer anyway.
Joe Citizen
Tue, Feb 15, 2011 : 3:52 p.m.
not convinced you drive "within the law" with a name like mannyredline. The answer is: don't speed. That is how you avoid a speeding ticket.
a2gretta
Tue, Feb 15, 2011 : 1:55 p.m.
A friend and I walk along Huron River Drive. At the beginning of our walk, it is safer to walk with traffic as we go up a hill (because we can see who is coming behind us) than to cross and surprise drivers who crest the hill. If we do what is legal, we are putting ourselves in jeopardy--we can't see oncoming traffic and they can't see us. I think good sense should rule. I would like to thank the many drivers who move out from the shoulder. Our smiles and waves indicate our thanks! I would also like to point out that a driver should never pass another car so as to come up behind walkers. We can't know that there is a car behind us in what seems like an open lane. We do what we can to safely enjoy the morning air and thank all of you who help us do so safely!
Matt Cooper
Thu, Feb 17, 2011 : 4:53 a.m.
1 problem with your logic: In order to see what's going on behind you, on a hill or a flat roadway, you still must, at a minimum, slow your pace, turn your head at least 3/4's around, look at the roadway, then turn back facing forward and pick up your pace. This is still much slower than if you are facing traffic and only have to react to what you see in front of you. Instead of expecting drivers to move out of their own lane and into the opposite one to avoid hitting you walking on the shoulder, why not you try walking on the left side of the road so nobody has to leave their lane and risk having a head collision with another vehicle. Just sayin'
spm
Tue, Feb 15, 2011 : 5:19 p.m.
I find another place you might want to walk with the traffic is when you come close to a cross street. Yesterday I nearly took out a walker when I was turning right onto another street and since it was very dark I didn't see the pedistrian until it was almost too late. The problem was caused because I couldn't see her reflective vest until I had turned the corner and by the time my headlights had picked up the reflective vest it was almost too late to avoid her. Luckily she figured she might not be seen and was climbing up the snow bank to avoid being hit. Another thing would help walkers are headlamps/flashlights. I might not have seen the reflective vest but I would have seen the headlamp or flashlight when I was turning the corner.
jcj
Tue, Feb 15, 2011 : 12:49 p.m.
This is kind of a no brainer! Drive within the LAW! Maybe the headline should say: How To Break the Law and Get Away With It!
John B.
Wed, Feb 16, 2011 : 10:50 p.m.
If you are trying to say that you've never driven so much as 1 mph over the speed limit, even 'accidentally,' you are either delusional or lying.
AAW
Tue, Feb 15, 2011 : 12:18 p.m.
Did you know? •A pedestrian can legally walk along a highway (excluding freeways) where sidewalks are not provided as long as the person walks on the left side of the roadway facing traffic. When sidewalks are provided, pedestrians are subject to receiving a civil infraction when walking along a highway. My dad taught me this over 40 years ago. I think that parents have stopped teaching there children this law and safety issue 20 years ago. It truly is the safest way to walk on a road if that is your only option. Thanks for having this is the article
John B.
Wed, Feb 16, 2011 : 10:45 p.m.
Yes, that is true. The reasoning is that you can step out of the way of danger, basically, since you will see it coming. I'd like to add, however, that it is NOT the way to ride your bicycle. Always ride a bicycle with traffic, never against it. Riding against traffic is a leading cause of death for bicyclists! I see far too many people riding bicycles against traffic here, and most of them seem to be under 18, so I fear that some dumb parents are telling them to do that?