CarInsurance.com Insights
- Nearly 73% of drivers say they have not been pulled over or did not give an excuse when they were.
- Among drivers who did give an excuse, not knowing the speed limit was cited most often (13%).
- Requesting a warning — politely and without an excuse — can still get you out of a ticket.
- A speeding ticket can raise your car insurance rate by anywhere from 19%-64%, depending on your insurer.
Most drivers who get pulled over for speeding don’t bother making an excuse — but for those who do, claiming ignorance of the speed limit is the go-to line. A CarInsurance.com survey found that nearly 3 in 4 drivers either haven’t been pulled over or didn’t offer an excuse when they were.
Among those who did speak up, not knowing the speed limit was far and away the most common reason given.
What excuses do drivers actually give when pulled over?
The majority of drivers — 72.58% — say they have not been pulled over for speeding or did not offer an excuse when stopped. But among the drivers who did give a reason, here’s how the breakdown looked:
- Didn’t know what the speed limit was: 13.07%
- Running late for a doctor’s appointment: 4.10%
- Running late to pick up a kid: 3.89%
- Sick family member: 3.46%
- Late for a job interview: 2.26%
The data tells a clear story: most people stay quiet or simply weren’t in a situation where they needed an excuse. But for the roughly one-quarter of drivers who did speak up, the most believable — and most used — excuse was straightforward: “I didn’t know what the speed limit was.”
That makes sense. It’s hard to disprove, doesn’t require fabricating an emergency and doesn’t come across as making excuses so much as an honest admission.
Some of the more creative excuses drivers have tried
Not everyone sticks to the classics. When we asked drivers what excuse they gave, a few responses stood out for their creativity — or audacity:
- “I got my period and was looking for a CVS.”
- “I’ve been a safe driver for more than 13 years.”
- “I like to drive fast.”
- “I was in labor.”
- “I work for the Secret Service and was needed for a special assignment.”
- “I was pregnant and about to be sick, so I was looking for a restroom.”
- “I was running out of gas and trying to get home faster.”
Whether any of these worked is another matter. A few — the labor, the pregnancy, the period — fall into the medical emergency category that officers tend to take seriously. The Secret Service assignment, the gas logic and the candid “I like to drive fast,” on the other hand, are probably better appreciated in hindsight than at the side of the road.
Requesting a warning can get you out of a speeding ticket
You don’t necessarily need a polished excuse to avoid a citation. Asking politely for a warning is a proven alternative.
More than one-third of drivers say they’ve asked for a warning when pulled over. Nearly half of those drivers got one — without offering any excuse at all.
Paul Petti, a retired police lieutenant and director at Police Career and Promotion Services, said there’s nothing wrong with asking for a warning if you’re only a few miles over the limit.
“Done politely, a sincere apology with a request for a warning can be helpful. Remember, however, that officers are often assigned to specific traffic ‘hot spots’ by supervisors and expected to write citations,” Petti said.
What to do if you get pulled over for speeding
Most drivers have been pulled over. It’s often how you react to getting stopped that’s vital to whether you get a warning or a hefty ticket with massive insurance hikes.
1. Be polite and keep your hands in sight
When pulled over, Petti recommended that drivers remain positive, keep their hands in sight and don’t make any sudden movements. That includes not moving too quickly to get your license and registration.
“Don’t forget – a little niceness and human-to-human courtesy goes both ways and is appreciated,” Petti said.
Speeders clocked going less than that don’t get points on their license, so police don’t report it to insurance companies.
“If you question the motives of the officer and demand to see the radar because the officer is obviously hiding something or playing games, that generous offer may be rescinded,” said James M. Wirth, an attorney with Wirth Law Group, P.C., in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
2. Don’t argue with the police officer
Wirth suggested drivers never argue with police officers.
“To win an argument with a traffic officer, you have to be in court in front of a judge. So, if your goal is to avoid court, there is no upside to arguing and a definite downside,” Wirth said. “Officers regularly give people breaks, but only with the hope that people will appreciate it for what it is, generosity on the officer’s part. If you demonstrate an attitude of entitlement, you negate the officer’s only incentive to cut you slack.”
3. Sign the ticket to appear in court
If you get a ticket, Wirth recommended that a driver sign the ticket promptly. Signing the ticket doesn’t admit guilt. Instead, it’s a promise to either pay the fine or appear in court.
Not paying a ticket could result in an arrest to ensure that you appear in court, Wirth said.
“There is probably nothing more aggravating for an officer than trying to convince a skeptical driver that he/she really is acting in their best interest when trying to convince them to sign and that he/she isn’t being a jerk by saying that if you don’t promise to appear in court, I have to arrest you,” Wirth said.
Officers may hand out dozens of tickets in a month, but if you’re a problem, the officer will likely remember you – and could make it a point to attend your hearing.
“You don’t want to do anything to make your traffic stop more memorable or that would motivate the officer to make sure to show up for your traffic trial,” Wirth said. “Act like a jerk, and you can bet the officer will perfectly recollect the traffic stop and the time and date and time of your trial.”
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How much do speeding tickets increase car insurance costs?
Getting a speeding ticket can be pricey. You pay the fine, and your car insurance rates also rise. Depending on the insurer, rates can increase from 24% to 64%, on average, after a speeding ticket. Your insurance company factors how much speeding will increase your car insurance costs.
Among the six top insurers, CarInsurance.com found the following rate increases after a speeding ticket:
- Allstate: 24%
- Farmers: 44%
- GEICO: 64%
- Nationwide: 52%
- Progressive: 33%
- State Farm: 19%
- Travelers: 50%
- USAA: 22%
Frequently Asked Questions: Speeding ticket excuses
Do speeding ticket excuses work?
Most excuses don’t prevent you from getting a ticket, but explaining your situation in court may reduce fines or penalties.
What are the most common excuses for speeding?
Drivers often claim they were late for work, didn’t see the posted speed limit sign, needed a restroom or were keeping up with traffic.
Can a speeding ticket affect my car insurance rates?
Yes. Even one speeding ticket can raise your car insurance premium, and multiple violations can cause significant increases.
Is it better to fight a speeding ticket in court?
Fighting a ticket can sometimes reduce fines or points on your license, but success depends on your driving record and the evidence presented.
How long does a speeding ticket stay on your record?
It varies by state, but most speeding tickets remain on your driving record for three to five years, affecting insurance rates during that time.
Methodology
CarInsurance.com commissioned Dynata in March 2026 to field a survey asking 1,510 people about their insurance products, 1,415 of whom reported having auto insurance. CarInsurance.com commissioned Quadrant Information Services to get car insurance rates. The rates are based on the sample profiles of 40-year-old male and female drivers carrying full coverage policies with limits of 100/300/100 and $500 collision and comprehensive deductibles. Read the detailed methodology for more information.
