You might think you know the rules of the road, but misinformation can spread like wildfire.

If they dont show, you automatically win and get your ticket dropped.

Unfortunately, thats not always how it works.

Its a gamble at best

, since officers usually show up in jurisdictions where thats required.

(Emphasis added.)

Just ensure you check your state and local laws before you go gambling.

At that point its your word against the radar guns, and that wont get you very far.

Professor Bambauer agrees:

…generally this defense wont work.

Its hard to prove that radar is inaccurate, and even that may not get the ticket overturned.

The best you could do is suggest that the officers equipment hasnt been re-calibrated recently.

Second, simple clerical mistakes on a ticket wont change anything.

Judges consider simple mistakes on tickets to be exactly that: simple mistakes.

Professor Bambauer explains that everyone was doing it is never a good excuse.

Even briefly passing another car wont fly as an excuse either.

Professor Bambauer calls posted speed limits bright-line rules:

This means theyre simple and clear.

The police may decide not to enforce the violation, but youre at risk.

I would say just to be polite with the officer.

you’re free to try talking, just dont admit guilt.

Speeding is speeding, no matter the reason.

So the only time making excuses might work is if you have an emergency-related excuse.

Professor Bambauer gives an example:

Tucson Police Department officers have quotas, but theyre absurdly low.

Some police forces have none at all.

And some, like TPD, consider how many tickets an officer writes when evaluating her for promotion.

I worked in a department where it was 10 & 10.

Ten movers / ten parkers a month.

So the police department was basically funded from traffic citation revenue.

All of that said, theres no real way to predict when your chances go up.

In short: its complex, and your mileage may vary.

Generally, though, youre not going to want to throw that ticket away.

I guess to be honest I dont know what the safety concern would be.

I dont know why thered be a law against it.

Thereisa law against it in Alabamaif youre on a motorcycle.

Otherwise, kick your kicks off all you want.

Professor Bambauer expresses how ridiculous this myth is:

This seems like the biggest whopper.

If you pay more, if youre fortunate, youll get a refund of the overpayment in time.

Illustration by Sam Woolley.