Plead ignorance.
That’s the most-used excuse when drivers are pulled over for a traffic violation, according to Insurance.com’s new “Ticketmasters” survey.
Among people who said they have used excuses when pulled over by a police officer, here’s how explanations break down:
- I couldn’t see the sign telling me not to do it: 20.4 percent
- I’m lost and unfamiliar with the roads: 15.6 percent
- I didn’t know it was broken: 12.4 percent
- Everyone else was doing it: 6.4 percent
- I’m having an emergency situation in my car. (For instance, spilled a hot drink on your lap.): 5.4 percent
- I missed my turn/exit: 4.8 percent
- I had to go to the bathroom: 4.6 percent
- I didn’t do anything dangerous: 4.2 percent
- I was on my way to an emergency. (For example, to help someone who is ill or injured.): 4 percent
- My GPS said it was the right thing to do: 2.2 percent
- I’m just helping out; I wasn’t even supposed to be driving. (For example, your friend is intoxicated.): 2 percent
“By now, police officers can probably finish people’s sentences,” said Michelle Megna, managing editor of Insurance.com. “I wonder if they wouldn’t appreciate a little dog-ate-my-homework creativity.”
Men are more likely to rationalize their driving behavior by saying they were being altruistic – “I’m just helping out. I wasn’t even supposed to be driving!” Among people who have used this excuse, 90 percent were men.
There are differences in excuses between men vs. women, the survey also found.
I couldn’t see the sign telling me not to do it. — Men: 38 percent; Women: 62 percent
I’m lost and unfamiliar with the roads. — Men: 35 percent; Women: 65 percent
I didn’t know it was broken. — Men: 39 percent; Women: 61 percent
Everyone else was doing it. — Men: 56 percent; Women: 44 percent
I’m having an emergency situation in my car. (For instance, spilled a hot drink on your lap.) Men: 67 percent; Women: 33 percent
I missed my turn/exit. — Men: 54 percent; Women: 46 percent
I had to go to the bathroom. — Men: 35 percent; Women: 65 percent
I didn’t do anything dangerous. — Men: 71 percent; Women: 29 percent
I was on my way to an emergency. (For example, to help someone who is ill or injured.) — Men: 55 percent; Women: 45 percent
My GPS said it was the right thing to do. — Men: 82 percent; Women: 18 percent
I’m just helping out. I wasn’t even supposed to be driving. (For example, your friend is intoxicated.) — Men: 90 percent; Women: 10 percent
Insurance.com offers a few tips for drivers getting pulled over:
- Acknowledge the officer’s presence by turning on the right turn signal.
- Move your vehicle to the right shoulder of the road as soon as it is safe to do so.
- Turn on your hazard lights.
- Turn off your radio. Do not make a phone call.
- Remain inside your vehicle.
- Place your hands in clear view; for example, on your steering wheel.
Insurance.com commissioned a survey of 500 licensed drivers age 18 and over. The survey was fielded in February 2013.
Source: Insurance.com
Topics Trends
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