Ways to avoid that pesky speeding ticket

You're late for work so you slam the gas pedal to save time. You check around the road as you go faster, just to make sure there are no cops around.

Thinking you are safe, you increase the speed even more until you see those familiar blue lights reflected in your mirrors.

You've been caught. As you pull over to the side of the road, you start making up excuses for getting out of the ticket.

But wait, how did you get yourself into this position in the first place? While it is almost safe to say that every driver has or will speed in their lifetime, it's doubtful that cops pull over every perpetrator.

Here are the interesting facts: in the U.S., over 100,000 people receive speeding tickets each day, amounting to almost 41 million every year. Individuals between 17 and 24 receive the most violations, along with men receiving more than women. North Carolina is the No. 8 state dishing out those dreaded pink slips of paper.

However, this can all be avoided by following a few simple tips.

Stay within 5-10 mph of the surrounding traffic.

If you insist on speeding, stay within this speed range and among other drivers on the road. Cops are more prone to pull over the leader of the pack, so stay within the pack, because only one car can be pulled over at a time. The safest place is in the middle, because the lead driver's chances are higher of tipping off a cop's radar.

Don't change lanes frequently, tailgate or drive aggressively.

While you shouldn't do any of the above, because it is unsafe and rude to other drivers, doing this will make you stand out among other drivers. Always be courteous to others on the road, use a turn signal and stay a considerable distance between other cars. Weaving in and out of traffic, cutting other drivers off or following too closely is easy for cops to notice, so keep with the flow of traffic and avoid being the center of attention.

Watch your speed carefully and stay in right lanes.

If you're the only car on the road, then don't speed, because you are just asking for it. If you're traveling on an interstate or highway with little to no traffic, then flip on the cruise control to a safe momentum. Don't use the fast lane unless you are passing someone and watch for police lurking behind bushes or cutouts in median strips. Also, the time of day is important as well, because speeding at night can give law enforcement more reason to stop you if they believe you might be intoxicated.

Don't speed!

While these tips might be helpful in certain situations, the best way to avoid a speeding ticket is to not speed at all. Speeding is illegal and is responsible for many accidents and victims each year. There is no perfect way to avoid it, but actually staying within the speed limit is safer for you and for others on the road.

If you happen to get a speeding ticket, there are plenty of ways to try and get out of it, but ultimately, the deciding factor is the decision made by the driving laws and the courts that uphold them. In that case, get your wallet ready and kiss your good driving record goodbye.

This writer can be contacted at features@theeastcarolinian.com