Pulled over by Plod for speeding - correct answer?
Discussion
I’ve personally never been pulled over by the police (while in the driver’s seat) so this is more of a hypothetical question.
So you know that you have been speeding and get pulled over. The first thing the police officer says is “do you know why I’ve pulled you over?”.
What is the best way to answer this question?
So you know that you have been speeding and get pulled over. The first thing the police officer says is “do you know why I’ve pulled you over?”.
What is the best way to answer this question?
If I genuinely know I've been driving a little too quickly, then I'll say so, and in most cases I've simply been given a warning and sent on my way (only points have been by camera)
If I genuinely don't know why, then I assume it's because I'mblackguilty of something else.
When I first got the Z4MC I used to say it was due to my car being recorded as 'red' when it looked more black in most lights - as for about 6 months I would get a tug for just that.
If I genuinely don't know why, then I assume it's because I'm
When I first got the Z4MC I used to say it was due to my car being recorded as 'red' when it looked more black in most lights - as for about 6 months I would get a tug for just that.
Edited by mmm-five on Wednesday 12th August 14:07
I have always got out of the car and gone over to the Policeman and have then been asked that question. I have answered in a 'yes' but never state the speed I was going.
I have found that if you treat them decently, they generally have treated me decently (such as 3 points for doing 150)
of course I dont do that now.
I have found that if you treat them decently, they generally have treated me decently (such as 3 points for doing 150)
of course I dont do that now.
Unless you are telepathic then the factually correct answer is no you don't . A simple ""No, I don't know why you have stopped me" is polite and factual.
The other common questions "do you know how fast you were going", which a "a safe speed for the road and conditions" is a suitable response
The other common questions "do you know how fast you were going", which a "a safe speed for the road and conditions" is a suitable response
It happened to me on the motorway into North Wales a few years ago, I came out of a services, down the slip road and fair enough I was probably speeding and moved across the lanes to avoid slower traffic and off I went, genuinely no idea what speed I was doing.
Anyway a short time later I get pulled over by a traffic car and asked to sit in the back of their car which I did, he asked me if I knew why I had been pulled over and I said "no I don't sorry".
He asked me what speed I was doing and I said "sorry I don't know I was concentrating on the road not the speedo".
He then told me his speed equipment (whatever that may be) wasn't working so he couldn't check me accurately but he was sure I was over the limit and I said I honestly don't know but I apologise if I was.
He checked my car over for condition and checked I had a licence and insurance etc then told me to be more careful of my speed and I was on my way.
Fairly painless really.
Anyway a short time later I get pulled over by a traffic car and asked to sit in the back of their car which I did, he asked me if I knew why I had been pulled over and I said "no I don't sorry".
He asked me what speed I was doing and I said "sorry I don't know I was concentrating on the road not the speedo".
He then told me his speed equipment (whatever that may be) wasn't working so he couldn't check me accurately but he was sure I was over the limit and I said I honestly don't know but I apologise if I was.
He checked my car over for condition and checked I had a licence and insurance etc then told me to be more careful of my speed and I was on my way.
Fairly painless really.
I did get stopped once for out running a police car.
Just finished a rally and the car still had the numbers on it when a car with its lights on main beam started to tailgate me. Managed to pull out a couple of miles on him down the lanes before the lights came on.
The conversation at the roadside ended when a Dolomite sprint drove by 'spiritedly' and the policeman without a word of a lie saying 'I'll go and race him now' !
Leaving me to slowly drive home.
Just finished a rally and the car still had the numbers on it when a car with its lights on main beam started to tailgate me. Managed to pull out a couple of miles on him down the lanes before the lights came on.
The conversation at the roadside ended when a Dolomite sprint drove by 'spiritedly' and the policeman without a word of a lie saying 'I'll go and race him now' !
Leaving me to slowly drive home.
I was pulled over by a sheriff’s deputy in rural Florida many years ago, but not for speeding.
He asked me if I knew why he’d stopped me, and I replied truthfully that I didn’t.
He said, “We’re in a 40 mph zone, and you’ve held it down to around 36 for maybe 5 miles, you’ve indicated at every turn that you made, never once clipped the verge when turning into another street, nor drifted across a lane marker line, no one is that good, have you had any alcohol this evening sir?”
To make a long story short, for reasons known only to him, after first me and then my wife blew a record number on his breathalyser, he let me park in a supermarket car park, and drove us home.
It cured me for good though, I never took the pi$$ in foreign climes again after that.
He asked me if I knew why he’d stopped me, and I replied truthfully that I didn’t.
He said, “We’re in a 40 mph zone, and you’ve held it down to around 36 for maybe 5 miles, you’ve indicated at every turn that you made, never once clipped the verge when turning into another street, nor drifted across a lane marker line, no one is that good, have you had any alcohol this evening sir?”
To make a long story short, for reasons known only to him, after first me and then my wife blew a record number on his breathalyser, he let me park in a supermarket car park, and drove us home.
It cured me for good though, I never took the pi$$ in foreign climes again after that.
“do you know why I’ve pulled you over?
The answer isn't "because I let you" when driving a fast car.
This is just an attitude test at this stage. Some people can blurt out a load of incriminating stuff and admit yeah I'm not insured, my tail lights are broken and I have a 9 bar of cannabis resin in the boot. it makes the coppers job easier. Some people go on the defensive or even worse, get abusive. Again test failed.
The last time I was asked this question (I was doing about 82 on the A19) I answered "was I over the limit officer?" I wasn't admitting anything and I was respectful. He then asked if I was in a hurry to which I replied something like "no, no excuses if I was over, just been a long day." It ended with me being told to keep my speed in check and he let me on my way. Test passed.
The answer isn't "because I let you" when driving a fast car.
This is just an attitude test at this stage. Some people can blurt out a load of incriminating stuff and admit yeah I'm not insured, my tail lights are broken and I have a 9 bar of cannabis resin in the boot. it makes the coppers job easier. Some people go on the defensive or even worse, get abusive. Again test failed.
The last time I was asked this question (I was doing about 82 on the A19) I answered "was I over the limit officer?" I wasn't admitting anything and I was respectful. He then asked if I was in a hurry to which I replied something like "no, no excuses if I was over, just been a long day." It ended with me being told to keep my speed in check and he let me on my way. Test passed.
redjohn said:
Unless you are telepathic then the factually correct answer is no you don't . A simple ""No, I don't know why you have stopped me" is polite and factual.
The other common questions "do you know how fast you were going", which a "a safe speed for the road and conditions" is a suitable response
This could just come across in the wrong way...The other common questions "do you know how fast you were going", which a "a safe speed for the road and conditions" is a suitable response
As someone who has spent 25 years in Roads Policing, it really doesn’t matter what you answer. It’s just a random question.
It’ll make no difference to the decision regarding ticket or advice.
The one thing that may influence it is do you speak to them like they are regular human beings or do you have a self-important temper tantrum. You really can talk yourself into a ticket with a bad attitude
It’ll make no difference to the decision regarding ticket or advice.
The one thing that may influence it is do you speak to them like they are regular human beings or do you have a self-important temper tantrum. You really can talk yourself into a ticket with a bad attitude
toon10 said:
This is just an attitude test at this stage.
The last time I was asked this question (I was doing about 82 on the A19) I answered "was I over the limit officer?" I wasn't admitting anything and I was respectful. He then asked if I was in a hurry to which I replied something like "no, no excuses if I was over, just been a long day." It ended with me being told to keep my speed in check and he let me on my way.
Test passed.
This is my approach, it has worked plenty of times, I dont call them officer though.The last time I was asked this question (I was doing about 82 on the A19) I answered "was I over the limit officer?" I wasn't admitting anything and I was respectful. He then asked if I was in a hurry to which I replied something like "no, no excuses if I was over, just been a long day." It ended with me being told to keep my speed in check and he let me on my way.
Test passed.
But without a doubt I always just tell them its a fair cop, and that they have got me fair and square yadda yadda.
It has only failed me once, but I definately deserved that one.
My stock answer is "I'm unsure of my exact speed as I was concentrating on the road"
My mate was stopped recently the conversation went
Do you know why I've stopped you ?
No
Take a guess
I'd rather you tell me
Take a guess
Erm was it because I was speeding ?
No, but we'll come back to that, guess again
Was it because I was eating an ice cream ?
No, but we'll come back to that, guess again
Was it because I was on the phone ?
No, but we'll come back to that, guess again
My friend was in bits by this stage totting up the points in his head
Well I really don't know officer
You've got a brake light out, I suggest you fix it and stop driving like a prat
He walked back to his car, laughing, no points given.
My mate was stopped recently the conversation went
Do you know why I've stopped you ?
No
Take a guess
I'd rather you tell me
Take a guess
Erm was it because I was speeding ?
No, but we'll come back to that, guess again
Was it because I was eating an ice cream ?
No, but we'll come back to that, guess again
Was it because I was on the phone ?
No, but we'll come back to that, guess again
My friend was in bits by this stage totting up the points in his head
Well I really don't know officer
You've got a brake light out, I suggest you fix it and stop driving like a prat
He walked back to his car, laughing, no points given.
V8RX7 said:
My stock answer is "I'm unsure of my exact speed as I was concentrating on the road"
My mate was stopped recently the conversation went
Do you know why I've stopped you ?
No
Take a guess
I'd rather you tell me
Take a guess
Erm was it because I was speeding ?
No, but we'll come back to that, guess again
Was it because I was eating an ice cream ?
No, but we'll come back to that, guess again
Was it because I was on the phone ?
No, but we'll come back to that, guess again
My friend was in bits by this stage totting up the points in his head
Well I really don't know officer
You've got a brake light out, I suggest you fix it and stop driving like a prat
He walked back to his car, laughing, no points given.
Your mates an habitual liar, right?My mate was stopped recently the conversation went
Do you know why I've stopped you ?
No
Take a guess
I'd rather you tell me
Take a guess
Erm was it because I was speeding ?
No, but we'll come back to that, guess again
Was it because I was eating an ice cream ?
No, but we'll come back to that, guess again
Was it because I was on the phone ?
No, but we'll come back to that, guess again
My friend was in bits by this stage totting up the points in his head
Well I really don't know officer
You've got a brake light out, I suggest you fix it and stop driving like a prat
He walked back to his car, laughing, no points given.
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