'Do you know how fast you were going?' Almost everyone has heard this sentence while they were sitting on the side of the road, going nowhere fast. A sharp eyed officer has pulled you over, and you've been caught speeding. While there could be a ticket in your future, don't sweat it. Follow these guidelines and you just might beat a speeding ticket.

The best cure is prevention. Especially when you are on long road trips, slow down when you are entering small towns. Police and highways patrol make a lot of money from speed traps, and in some areas they are looking for any excuse to pull you over. Drive savvy, buckle up, and don't give them the chance.

When you do get pulled over, remember that politeness is key. Every ticket is at the officer's discretion. The more pleasant and honest you can be, the more likely you are to be let off of the hook. There is a real person under that imposing uniform, and they just might feel bad for you if you give them a reason.

After you put the officer at his or her ease and show them that you are really just a nice person, you might want to ask to see their radar reading. Some areas require the officer to show you this. Don;t insist, however, since being friendly is still the most important thing. If they don;t let you see the radar reading, just remember this for later: you might be able to use this court.

Of course, even after the officer has let you go on your way, you might be able to avoid court. Use the information on the ticket to call the officer involved and plead your case to them. Again, being nice will get you much farther than being confrontational. Just review the situation and ask nicely. You can also call the court clerk and ask for a continuance. The longer you delay your date, the better chance you will have.

If you do have to go to court, show up for your court date if at all possible. As long as you don't plead guilty, there is a good chance that the whole thing will be dropped. For example: if the officer doesn't show up in court that day, you get an automatic pass. Also, check your ticket. If there are important details missing (like the location, date, or time) then you may have grounds for dismissal.

After all of this, you still may be found guilty. If you have the time, it could be worth an appeal. This will take more effort, but you have the rights. When you appear for a second time, you have another chance to get the fine dropped. Be sure to follow all instructions and meet all deadlines.

Be polite, know your rights, and follow through. In every part of this story, remember that you are dealing with people who are simply doing their job. If you remember these guidelines, you can improve your chances of getting the system to work for you.