Over the years, I've read a lot of different tips on how to avoid a speeding ticket. Most of the items mentioned are common sense. However, like anything, even the most simple things can be forgotten or overlooked if we're not reminded of them. While there is no sure fire way to avoid a ticket if you're breaking your local speed limit, you can greatly reduce your exposure by employing some or all of the following pointers. Here's my pick of the top seven tips, if used wisely, can help to avoid recreating the scene below.
- Keep a low profile. Let’s forget about the fact that you’re driving a Porsche for a second, try to stay under the radar (pun intended). In other words, don’t draw attention to yourself by driving aggressively, flashing lights, multiple lane changes, etc. All it takes is one jealous driver in their beat up old Pinto to place a call to your local traffic control with a statement akin to, “Yeah, a black Porsche 911 just passed me at a little faster than the speed of sound. I think you might want to send someone out before this guy kills himself or someone else”. A call like that can ruin your day.
- Drive with the “flow of traffic”. Cops are looking for that one car going significantly faster than the others. If the speed limit is 65 mph and you, and everyone else on the road, are driving 72 to 75 mph then you’re in the “flow of traffic”. Yes, technically you (and those around you) are still speeding and do risk a ticket. The problem for the police becomes who to pull over? By driving with the “flow” you’ve automatically improved your odds of not being singled out.
- Follow, don't lead. Usually if you drive with the “flow of traffic” no matter their speed you’ll be safe from a ticket. In the event the roads your driving aren’t that crowded find just one other car going faster than you and fall in behind them. This way, if there is a speed trap, hopefully your leader will get nailed and you’ll keep going albeit at a slower pace.
- Be observant and look for brake lights. This should go without saying, but you would be surprised how often it is overlooked. By simply watching the traffic ½ mile to one (1) mile in front you have the ability to avoid any and all speed traps. Let’s face it, no one wants a ticket so the natural response to seeing a police car (on the side of the road or in a highway cutout) is to reduce speed by braking. When a whole group of cars suddenly brakes/slows at the same time you can be pretty sure that there is something of interest ahead of you. Adjust your speed accordingly. Even if it isn’t a speed trap, it may be some other obstruction or danger that requires a reduction in speed and your early observation will keep you out of harms way.
- Avoid the left lane. Lest we forget our early driver's education, the left lane is for passing only (that’s why they call it the passing lane). When you have to pass, use your blinker, move to the left and pass. Once you’re safely past the car in front of you move back into the middle or right lanes. Driving in this manner provides two benefits. The first is if a cop is coming from the opposite direction, they are more likely to be looking for speeders in the far left lane and have their radar pointed to that location. The second is you get some camouflage from any other speeders also on the road and driving in the left/passing lane. Let’s say you pass a cut-out with a radar trap set-up. The radar is going to bounce off the car in the left lane and return a signal on their speed, thus shielding you from a ticket (I know it’s a little thin, but it’s all about stacking the odds in your favor).
- Buy a Radar Detector
. If you live in a state where they are legal, by all means get one. A good radar detector will set you back a few hundred bucks, but so will a speeding ticket (not to mention the additional charges on your insurance, etc.). If you can, buy one of the newer radar detectors that also include detection and location information for red light and speed cameras.
- Don’t speed. I know, this is a simple solution and not much fun, but for obvious reasons, it works.
These are the things that have worked for me over the years? Is there anything I should add to the list? Let me know what works for you?
Next week I'll talk about what to do in the event you do get caught speeding in your Porsche. Just because you're pulled over doesn't mean you'll be ticketed. A lot depends on how you look and act toward to officer pulling you over.
Related Posts
Red Light and Speed Cameras: How They Work and How to Avoid Them
How Fast Have you Driven in Your Porsche
Things to Consider if You're Going to Drive Fast in Your Porsche
Poll Results: How Fast Have you Driven in your Porsche
Porsche Getaway in Stockholm Video
Slower Traffic Keep Right!!! Please?
[Post Photo Credit: Richard Faulder. Featured Image from slider via: NDavini at MadWhips]
Full disclosure, 993…how many tickets have you received whilst driving your Porsche?
Inquiring minds want to know.
RHM
I think you may have left out Tip 8 – what do you do if you’re following someone over the speed limit and a trooper pulls in behind you?
Get your insurance card & ID ready or switch seats with your girl friend really quick & make sure she adjusts her her top.
Best tip was the radar detector, it’s saved me countless times. I’ve been pulled over twice with it though. I was very polite, including the words sir & officer no matter their tone or attitude. Both times I was extremely lucky and got the “that’s a very nice car sir, please drive safely and have a good day”.
Are you trying to jinx me? As of today, after nine years of Porsche ownership, I have been pulled over twice and received no tickets!!!
The first time I was pulled over was in my ’73 911. I have what are called Year of Manufacturer plates/tags on the car. This means that the plates show a date of 1973 on them. The very nice, but confused, police officer wanted to write me a very big fine until I explained to him how the process works and showed him all the paperwork (that I carried for just such an occasion) to document the law.
My 2nd “brush with the law” was in my 993. I was coming a round a corner on the highway at about 100 mph or so and saw a trooper in position with radar. I immediately jumped on the brakes, but alas I was too late. When the trooper finally pulled me over he said he knew I was speed, but his radar malfunctioned so he couldn’t ticket me and was only going to provide a warning.
So far, I’ve been pretty lucky!
You forgot #8 – DO YOU KNOW WHO I AM ??? Try this if all else fails.
I noticed that officer is of the RCMP persuasion … are you an international speeder?
That`s because the RCMP always get their man …. sides, there are only 2 Porsches in Canada and the other one does not work…lol.
I’d be curious to know if you have any data (or gut feeling) as to how more or less often a Porsche owner gets off with a warning compared to owners of other cars.
My gut would say less often…especially in the current economic crisis.
Thoughts?
RHM
Tough to say. My two experiences with “The Man” have both been positive with no ticket as the outcome. So speaking from my own experience I can only say it seems we get let off more often then not.
Now, I’ll probably get pulled over tomorrow for having written this.
I normally follow all these guidlines except the last 3. I am constantly in the left lane. Righ lane in the UK. Problem in the UK is that there is so much traffic and a lot of drivers are sitting/driving in the passing lane.
I’m the photographer of that scene above, could the article writer please put in credit for the shot and a link to this flickr page?
http://www.flickr.com/photos/from1993/2359380937/
“Next week I’ll talk about what to do in the event you do get caught speeding. Just because you’re pulled over doesn’t mean you’ll be ticketed. A lot depends on how you look and act toward to officer pulling you over.”
Where can I find the article on what to do if you are pulled over?
Thanks
Sam,
Here you go. http://993c4s.com/advise/tips-to-beat-speeding-ticket/
We will permanently link the posts once we are back from the holidays….
Only got one ticket in my Cayman S for 41 mph, one mph over the limit, in Lawty, FL on 301. Laser! And I had a Passport radar/laser dectector. Didn’t matter. I was driving a Porsche. The best way to avoid a ticket in my experience currently? Drive an Audi Q5!
A couple of things number one how to avoid a speeding ticket , fit a garage door opener level with front plate this may involve a little body work on your bumper and they must be compleatly level but these jam police radar ( at least in the uk ) do remember to also fit a cut off so once activated by the rader it then switches off as laser jamming is illegal again in the uk , but it does work . If in doubt about you electronic skill get a professional to fit them as they are quite complicated . And they can be almost un noticeable especially if the cops haven’t seen them before and Rember you have a garage door opener at home lol . You should try living in France between midday and 2pm everyone goes for a long lunch including the police so result is quieter roads no police and some of the best roads in the world . I lived there a few years ago and would regulary go out at lunch time for high speed runs and I do mean very high speed runs . I won’t say how fast as moving back there this year and do not want to be on a watch list !! Also in France by law they must display a notice of any speed cameras within a km of it giving plenty of time to slow . In the uk I only go for high speed runs off the motorways less cameras an always early mornings . There is one more trick but its so illiagle ill keep it to myself . Have fun with those garage door openers they do work . But hide them have them switch off once activated or you will be in big trouble . ; )
Believe it or not, the color of your car can be a factor in whether yoiu get popped. Look aroiund in traffic, and you’ll probably note that most other cars today are uniformly silver, gray, beige, white, or some other neutral hue. If you are driving the only Guards Red or Signal Yellow car in the herd, you stand out like a sore thumb and are very easy to spot. Several other good points have been raised: Don’t be the “rabbit”…Always let someone else who wants to lead the pack do so; hang back and let them flush out any waiting patrolman. And, yes, buy a high-quality radar-lasewr detector. They pay for themselves many times over. I might also suggest avoiding cutesy personalized license plates – Thery are easy to remember should you irritate some left-lane slow-poke who decides to pick up his cellphone and report you for passing on the right.
1971 driving my 356 from CA to Aspen running at sunset across the Utah, CO border I noticed a CSP parked on the on ramp to I-70 hidden in the setting western sun. I slowed to the speed limit and maintained up and down hills. He pulled me over and told me I had a tail ight out which I quickly fixed. I was then issued a safe drivers ticket as he said he had never followed a driver who could maintain constant speed limit speed up and down hills so well. He said I should save the card to show if I ever had the need in the future to show it. Still driving my 356 42 years later, several warnings, no tickets.