What to say when a cop asks do you know how fast you were going?
Asked by: Kellie Kshlerin | Last update: May 21, 2026Score: 4.6/5 (4 votes)
When a cop asks, "Do you know how fast you were going?" the best approach is a polite, non-committal response that avoids admitting guilt, such as "I believe I was going the speed limit," or simply "Yes, I know," followed by silence, as anything you say can be used against you, and lying is a crime. Avoid saying you don't know (which implies negligence) or giving a specific, incorrect number, but also don't argue; stay calm, be respectful, and offer minimal, truthful, or strategically vague answers.
What do you say when a cop asks you how fast you were going?
Politely state that you were just keeping up with traffic, and not watching your speedometer. Then accept whatever speed the officer says you were doing. Chances are you aren't getting out of the ticket with him, but can address it in court with a chance of dismissal or paying a fine to keep it off your driving record.
When a cop asks how fast you were going, is that a confession?
They're trying to get you to incriminate yourself
If you say that, yes, you know exactly how fast you were going, you then admit to breaking the speed limit intentionally and willfully. The officer has that admission on record and it can be used against you.
How to respond to why were you speeding?
“The best answer you can give to that question is, 'I believe I was going the speed limit,'” he says. “The most important word in that sentence is believe because it suggests you were in the speed limit yet leaves open the possibility that you could be wrong.
What is the trick question police ask?
Police ask trick questions like "Do you know why I stopped you?" or "Can I search your car?" to get you to incriminate yourself, with common tactics including leading questions, consent traps ("You don't mind if I look, right?"), and using "small talk" to gauge your responses, but you have the right to remain silent and refuse searches without a warrant. Key strategies involve clearly stating, "I do not consent to any search," invoking your Fifth Amendment rights, and politely declining to answer questions beyond basic identification.
Trick Questions From The Police Part II: "Do You Know How Fast You Were Driving?"
Is it illegal to say shut up to a cop?
It's generally not illegal to tell a cop to "shut up" because the First Amendment protects insulting or offensive speech towards police, but it's risky, as officers can escalate the situation and potentially arrest you for related charges like obstruction, disturbing the peace, or resisting arrest, especially if your words are deemed "fighting words" or incite violence, though courts interpret this narrowly for police, who are expected to show more restraint. While you have a right to speak freely, officers might interpret it as a challenge, leading to charges even if the speech itself isn't a crime.
How to make police respect you?
Mutual Respect Guidelines for Citizens and Police Officers
- Remain calm.
- Keep your hands where officer(s) can see them.
- Address police officer(s) as “officer” or “officers”
- Tell the officer(s) if you have a weapon and its location.
- Tell the officer(s) your name and address when asked.
Why do cops ask why you were speeding?
"I think the most common reason is the officer wants you to admit guilt to some extent." "They're probably looking to get you to self-incriminate," added driver Justin Gehring of Woodbury. "If he's asking me a question, I'll answer him," added driver Deb Metzger from Wisconsin.
What to say to beat a speeding ticket?
Common Defenses Against Speeding Tickets
- Challenging the Officer's Observations. ...
- Questioning the Accuracy of Speed Measuring Devices. ...
- Arguing Necessity or Emergency Situations. ...
- Contesting the Identification of the Vehicle. ...
- Claiming a Mistake of Fact. ...
- Proving Speed Was Safe for Conditions.
How can you prove you weren't speeding?
Your best chances to win the argument will be if you have physical proof you weren't speeding. Evidence could include dashcam video, GPS data from a smartphone app, or photographic evidence that a speed limit sign was obscured.
Can you refuse to answer a cop's questions?
If they continue to ask questions, you still have the right to remain silent. If you do not have a lawyer, you may still tell the officer you want to speak to one before answering questions. If you do have a lawyer, keep his or her business card with you. Show it to the officer, and ask to call your lawyer.
What is the best excuse for speeding?
"I was running late for work or an appointment." 2. "My speedo must be out." 3. "I didn't see the speed limit sign." 4. "I was overtaking another vehicle." 5.
What does 4 fingers mean for cops?
Cops hold up four fingers as a non-verbal signal, often meaning "Code 4," indicating a situation is under control, no further assistance is needed, or all is clear, similar to "10-4" but specific to certain agencies like the LAPD, commonly seen in movies like End of Watch for quick, silent communication. It's used with air support, backup, or other officers to show the scene is safe and resolved.
What not to say in traffic court?
In traffic court, avoid excuses like "I didn't know the speed limit," "I was with the flow of traffic," or blaming the officer (calling them a liar); don't argue, interrupt the judge, use slang, get emotional, volunteer extra info, or make jokes, as this shows disrespect and lack of seriousness, while a calm, factual, and concise presentation is key.
What happens if I say Hey Siri I'm getting pulled over?
When you tell Siri "I'm getting pulled over," a customizable iPhone Shortcut can automatically silence music, dim the screen, turn on Do Not Disturb, send your location to emergency contacts, and start recording video with your front or rear camera, sending the recording to selected contacts or the cloud, providing evidence for dangerous encounters. This feature requires you to first install and set up the shortcut from the Apple Shortcuts app.
What not to say when pulled over for speeding?
“I didn't know the speed limit.”
Ignorance of the law is not a valid defense. Telling an officer you didn't know the speed limit might sound like a harmless admission, but it can be interpreted as a confession. Speed limits are posted for a reason, and it's your responsibility to pay attention to them.
What is the best plea for a speeding ticket?
The "best" way to plead a speeding ticket depends on your goal, but common options are pleading guilty with an explanation/negotiation, not guilty to fight it, or sometimes nolo contendere (no contest); for fighting, plead not guilty, gather evidence (dashcam, photos, witness statements), request discovery for the officer's report, dress professionally, be polite, and present a clear, evidence-based defense, but hiring an attorney is often most effective for negotiation or complex cases.
What to say if caught speeding?
“My suggestion is to say, 'I believe I was going the speed limit,'” Mandell says. “That way, you're not admitting to going over the speed limit, and you're also not denying it either.” And if you're thinking about apologizing, don't. “It's best to avoid the whole 'I'm sorry' thing altogether,” says Mandell.
Can I legally cuss out a cop?
No, it's generally not illegal to curse at a cop in the U.S. because the First Amendment protects even offensive speech, but it becomes a crime if it crosses into "fighting words" (inciting violence), threatens safety, or interferes with the officer's duties, potentially leading to charges like disorderly conduct, resisting arrest, or obstruction. While you have the right to criticize officers, actions or words perceived as threatening or disruptive can result in arrest, making it legally risky.
What to say when a cop says "Do you know why I pulled you over"?
When a cop asks, "Do you know why I pulled you over?", the best response is a simple, polite "No, officer" or "I'm not sure, officer," as it prevents you from accidentally admitting guilt to a potential violation you might not even know about, and you are not legally required to answer questions beyond providing your license, registration, and insurance. Stay calm, be courteous, avoid arguments, and wait for the officer to state the reason for the stop.
What is the best excuse for a speeding ticket?
Top Successful Speeding Ticket Excuses
- 14% say they didn't see a speed limit sign.
- 22% remark that they were going as fast as everyone else.
- 15% blame being late to pick up or drop off a child.
- 13% remarked that they were late for a doctor's appointment.
- 13% said they were late for a court appointment.
What is the 80 20 rule in police?
The 80-20 rule is a theoretical concept in which a large majority of incidents occur at a small minority of locations, for example 80 percent of incidents occur at 20 percent of locations. In the discipline of crime analysis, this tool can be used in many ways.
Is being rude to police illegal?
This is such a complicated situation because you do have a right to free speech and is not illegal to insult a police officer or be rude to them. You don't technically have to be respectful, and you can't be arrested simply for saying something that an officer doesn't like.
What are the 7 rules of respect?
Respect is categorized into the 7 Forms of Respect: Procedure, Punctuality, Information, Candor, Consideration, Acknowledgment, and Attention.