Guest Post from Papa

Top 'o the mornin to ya!
I am getting jazzed up for St. Patty's day this week, can ya tell?
Today I have a special treat for you. My awesome dad has asked to do a guest post and of course I said yes!
Some of you may know that my dad is one awesome police officer. He has tons and tons of great stories that I have shared a few here.
He has some great advice to share today and I promise it works! {For the most part}
So... without further ado... My dad would like to share with you all....

How to get out of a speeding ticket

If you read this blog most of you know that I’m a police officer with over 20+ years
of experience and the one question I get asked from family and friends, other than
if I’ve ever shot anyone? (No), is how do I get out of a speeding ticket?

Well since you’re friends of Lauren and Gavin I’ll give you the insider information.

Let me first explain that sometimes, no matter what, you’ll get a speeding ticket even if
you follow this advice. Some police agencies have quotas some don’t. Issuing tickets
generate revenue for cities and counties and therefore police officers are sometimes
required to issue tickets. Some police agencies are more restrictive than other agencies.
But if you follow this advice you just might drive away with a warning instead of a ticket.

1. Admit to yourself that yes I was speeding, ran the red light, didn’t signal, etc. and
think of all the times you didn’t get caught. Arguing with a police officer will
NEVER get you any leniency.

2. When you pull over to side off the road, pull off to the right as far as you
can. This gives the officer a “lane of safety” that he will appreciate. I hate
worrying about getting hit by other drivers/vehicles. Better yet if you can pull
into a parking lot.
3. When you’re pulled over, turn on the interior light (if it’s at night) and get
both hands on the steering wheel where I can see them. Don’t worry about
getting your driver’s license, registration and insurance card. DO NOT GET
OUT OF YOUR CAR. The whole point of this is to make the officer more
comfortable and safe.

4. When the officer approaches be very polite i.e. yes sir, no sir. If he asks you if
you know why he stopped you be polite and say no. (Don’t admit guilt) If you
admit you were speeding that makes the case that much easier to prove his
case in court.
5. Let him tell you why he pulled you over. When he’s done explaining the
violation, apologize in the most sincere why possible and ask for mercy and
to maybe let you off on a verbal warning. Don’t grovel or try to make up an
excuse. We’ve heard just about every excuse already.

Ladies (or men) no crying!!

Make sure you do all this before he goes back to his vehicle and checks
your information. It’s hard to pled for mercy after he’s already written out the
citation. Give him a reason to like you and to cut you a break.
6. Don’t worry that the officer still goes back to his vehicle and checks your
information. If he doesn’t find anything like past violations he’s more likely
to cut you that break. The officer has a lot of discretion and could just give
you a warning, lower the speed, drop other violations i.e. broken headlight, no
seatbelt, etc.

If you been polite, sincere and built a good rapport with the officer you just might get
out of the ticket.

Note: All this advise assumes that your not a drug dealer, murderer, or career
criminal.

Thanks Dad!
I will admit that I have gotten out of a fair few speeding tickets by following my pops advice. Give it a try next time and let me know if it works! Good luck and hope you had a lovely weekend!