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Do Red Cars Get Ticketed More Often?

Red cars attract the most attention on the road. Red sports cars are like a Matador’s cape to a bull. While we all like to floor it on an open stretch of road, you reduce your chances of having that much fun and not getting ticketed when driving a red car. The odds of getting a speeding ticket in the US are about 1 in 20. That’s an average number and isn’t designated by the make or color of the car. Revenue from speeding tickets accounts for approximately 6 billion (with a B) dollars a year. It’s a big (with a B) business, and that’s life in the fast lane. Speed can be incredibly tempting when stuck behind a slow-moving vehicle carrying a big load. With all the new construction, large trucks hauling gantry cranes have slowed traffic on our roadway system lately. Passing these vehicles and their pilot car is tricky and can easily result in a speeding ticket.

One of my first cars was a red Austin-Healey 3000 MKII. I lived in a hilly township outside of town and loved to mess with the country cops. I don’t suggest doing anything unlawful and always driving safely, but it’s impossible always to hold it on back country roads while driving a little red sports car. When motoring home late into the evening, I often noticed a cop sitting in a treed cut-out along the side of a particular road. The terrain was hilly, and this is where the fun would come in. Knowing he was there, I’d drop my speed to about five mph over the limit. Sure enough, he would pull out and begin to follow me. As I crested a hill and dropped out of sight, I’d gun it and tear up the next quarter mile before he could crest it. I would immediately slow down to the speed limit once I was on his radar again. This would go on for several miles, and I never got tickets. He knew I was messing with him but had nothing on me. It was just a little bit of harmless fun. There are nine ways to avoid getting a speeding ticket.

1. As stealthy as I was, don’t speed if you are the only car on the road.
2. Stay in the middle of the traffic. If other cars around you are speeding, you won’t be singled out.
3. Don’t use the far left lane except for passing; move right back into the middle or right streets.
4. Avoid weaving in and out like you’re on a track.
5. If following another speeder – a “rabbit,” let him be the first to show up on the radar and use his brake lights to signal you when he spots a cop.
6. Staying under ten mph over the stated speed limit will usually give you a pass. Anything at eight or more miles per hour over, and it’s going to get attention – and you’re going to get a ticket.
7. If you can bear to trade in your re-conditioned Super Sport for a Toyota sedan, you are less likely to be targeted.
8. Get a radar detector. Not all states allow them, so check this out first.
9. Drive responsibly. This goes without saying, but never put you or others at risk.

So you can add to the 6 billion dollar revenue from speeders across the land, or you can pick your times and places wisely and avoid the fine. With the average ticket cost being $150 and the increase in insurance, you would be wise to keep the pedal from pressing the metal whenever you’re in the car.