What should you do if you’re pulled over for speeding?
Even if you consider yourself a safe driver, there may be times when you drive in excess of the speed limit. While you’re likely to get away with this, there could come a point when you find yourself pulled to the side of the road by a police officer.
Here’s what you should do if you’re pulled over for speeding:
- Immediately move to the side of the road: Don’t waste any time pulling over, as you don’t want to give the officer the wrong impression. You can turn on your hazard lights to acknowledge that you see them.
- Provide the requested documentation: One of the first things the officer will do is ask for your license, registration and insurance information. It’s important to keep these documents in an easy to access place, such as your glove box.
- Don’t admit to anything: For example, the officer may ask you if you know why you were pulled over. Rather than say, “Yes, I was speeding,” simply tell them that you didn’t think you were doing anything wrong. Saying too much during a traffic stop can harm your ability to fight the ticket in traffic court.
Should the officer let you off with a warning, you don’t have to do anything but drive safer in the future.
If you receive a traffic ticket, don’t pay it right away. Review the ticket when you get home, learn more about your legal rights and consider the benefits of fighting it. This is only way to minimize the impact of the ticket on your life.