manual
Cruising past the penalty
How a speeder can avoid a ticket
Illustration by Austin Gilmore
Don't hate me when I say this, but I've never had a speeding ticket. Yes, I've been a licensed driver for six years, and I've never even been pulled over for speeding — knock on wood. I'd like to tell you this is because of my sixth sense that allows me to avoid police. But my sparkling record has little to do with my own skills and everything to do with luck.
But luck isn't something to count on. In fact, none of us have to accept our fate when we're doing 45 on a 30-miles-per hour-street and we see a cop. Believe it or not, it is possible to avoid speeding tickets, even when we deserve them.
Before you're stopped
The best thing to do when you see a cop shooting radar is to wave at the officer, says Richard Wallace, author of An Educated Guide to Speeding Tickets: How to Beat and Avoid Them. This can help you in one of two ways. First, the officer may think he knows you and will instinctively wave back, thus taking his attention from the radar. Second, your wave will likely be interpreted as an acknowledgement that you were speeding and have corrected your speed. Wallace, a retired police officer, says this technique works about half of the time.
Damn, you've been pulled over
At this point, you're probably feeling angry, scared or both. But keep your cool. Make sure you pull over safely. And when the officer approaches you, be cooperative, calm and polite. Nevertheless, don't admit that you were aware of your speed, Wallace says. That will make it much
harder to talk your way out of the ticket. Ty Martin, Abilene senior, estimates that he has talked his way out of seven to 10 speeding tickets. He recommends explaining your every move, such as when you reach for your registration. This will let the officer know you aren't sketchy. "They're as uncomfortable as you are," Martin says. Putting the officer at ease increases the chances that you'll get off.
Make a new friend
If you're going to avoid this ticket, you're going to have to either wow the police officer with your personality or compel the cop with your excuse. In any case, find a way to relate to the officer. Remember, police officers are enforcing the speed limit to slow traffic flow and prevent accidents, says Sergeant Dan Ward of the Lawrence Police Department. They aren't evil-doers set out to ruin your day and finances—police officers are people too. Touch the emotions of your officer and be detailed, Wallace says. Maybe the officer is your parents' age. Use that as an in. Explain how the ticket could affect your ability to pay tuition, rent and not to mention your relationship with your parents. Pick up on anything you can use to connect to them. If you can't think of a way to relate, tell a joke. And say you are sorry.
If that doesn't work
You can also try using one of the valid reasons for speeding: You were being tailgated, or you had to speed around a car to pass it. If you're still getting nowhere, at least fight the urge to argue. That will never help.
You get the ticket anyway
OK, so sometimes there's just nothing you can do. You were speeding though, so it isn't entirely unjust. But that shouldn't keep you from challenging the ticket. The odds of winning are in your favor, Wallace says. If you were caught during cold weather, the radar gun may have been defective, he says. Wallace says even radar gun manufacturers advise against using the guns in lower temperatures. If the police officer doesn't show up at court,
you win automatically. And judges are likely to forgive first-time offenders.
What we've learned
Unfortunately, not everyone has my luck. (I'm sure it will run out tomorrow.) But no one has to roll over and accept raised ticket fees and insurance rates without trying something. And even if talking to the officer does no good, the worst thing that will happen is that you'll get the ticket expected in the first place.
Damage control
Exam cram
It's hard being a perfect student.
Here's how to become one overnight.
It's Sunday afternoon, and you just remembered that you have a gigantic psychology exam tomorrow. It happens. Here are a few tips to get you started on your cram session today.
Quit picking your butt and get started.
Find a quiet, happy place. Sometimes the library is more of a social hangout than a get 'er done type of atmosphere.
Organize everything, and make a list of the basic concepts you need to know. Figure out how much time you have. You can't go over everything. Tackle unfamiliar concepts first while you're still fresh.
Remind yourself that you're not superhuman
You must take frequent breaks. If you don't relieve your brain for five to ten minutes every hour, be prepared to forget those chapters and charts. Get out of your seat, wiggle around a little and gallop to
the kitchen and refill your tail, refreshing glass of aqua. That brings me to my next point: Do not, I repeat, do not overdo it on the caffeine. Your la-la-land boost will surely end up in a la-la-crash. Feed your face with nutritious snacks such as nuts or fruit, or anything that is equally high in protein and carbs. Staying up all night is for dummies, so get some sleep smartly!
Jayplay 9.23.04
Source: Homework Help from Encarta.com
— Megan Claus
minute fix
Refresh Yourself
- Stayed up too late at the bar or cramming for that test? Try one of these tips to look awake:
- Do five minutes of jumping jacks to increase blood flow.
- Rinse your face with cold water.
- Take a shower and rub your body down with a soft brush or loofah.
- To eliminate dark eye circles, soak two cotton balls in witch hazel and dab them under your eyes for a few minutes.
— Misty Huber