Car Accidents

Top Speeding Ticket Excuses Revealed

Plus, what it’ll cost if you get caught

Have you ever been pulled over for speeding? Did you have an excuse for why you were in a hurry?

According to a recent survey, here are the top excuses drivers use when they get pulled over for speeding:

• They didn’t realize they were speeding
• They’re late for work
• There’s a medical emergency
• They need to use the bathroom
• They say they didn’t see a speed limit sign
• They report going as fast as everyone else
• They’re late to pick up or drop off a child
• They’re late for a doctor’s appointment
• They’re late for a court appointment

Interestingly, 48% of respondents said they provided no excuse for their speed, asked for leniency and got it. So, the next time you’re pulled over, it may not hurt to ask for a warning.

However, the best way to avoid a speeding ticket is much simpler: obey speed laws. Because in addition to the ticket itself, you’ll be paying for it long after you get pulled over. The national average car insurance rate increase is 24%, or nearly $380 more a year, for drivers who get a speeding ticket.

The average rate increase varies from state to state. Depending on where you buy car insurance, rates can vary by as much as 20%.

SPEEDING DOESN’T SAVE

Speeding saves less time than you think. Not convinced? Here’s the math (time = distance ÷ speed): let’s say you speed to work located five miles away. You drive 55 mph instead of the 45 mph that’s posted. Your new speed only saves you about a minute and twenty seconds. And this doesn’t factor in things like congestion or traffic signals, which would likely make the drive time longer. If you’re already late, does 90 seconds really make a difference?

More importantly, speeding significantly increases the likeliness and severity of a crash. As we approach the holidays, remember these simple tips to ensure you don’t have to rush to your next appointment or party:

• Don’t drive angry or anxious. Being anxious or angry behind the wheel is incredibly distracting. Maintaining control is key to resisting the urge to speed. Take a few deep breaths, listen to some music, and calm down before you go.
• Leave early so you don’t feel rushed. Many people speed because they feel like they’re running late. Make it a habit to prepare for a drive 10 minutes earlier than you normally would.
• Use cruise control for longer drives.Cruise control is useful for straight, open roads. Cruise control is not appropriate for winding roads, city streets, or bad weather. Consult your owner’s manual for instructions on how to use cruise control if you’re unfamiliar with this feature.
• Got speedy teens? Install a speed monitoring system.A speed monitoring system fits in a car’s diagnostic port. It then relays GPS coordinates and speeding details back to a website. These systems can be bought in electronic stores or online and maintained monthly for a small fee.
• Never drink and drive. Speeding may not have the negative social consequences drinking and driving has, but it kills just as many people.

Speeding doesn’t save you much time and adds significant stress to your trip. Stay safe this holiday season and mind all speed limits on the road.

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