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Note: the information presented on this page is meant to be amusing and helpful, it does not constitute legal advice.

Traffic Myths

There are lots of rumors and misconceptions about traffic tickets, not to mention hundreds of websites promising the inside scoop on secret ways to trick the system. Some of these myths are amusing while others could prove embarrassing or even harmful. All of them have one thing in common: they are not true.

  1. Law enforcement targets red cars.

    Fortunately for red car drivers, there's never been any evidence found that this is true.

  2. Just send extra money!

    The rumor goes that if you send a check for more than the amount of the fine, the courts have to refund the difference. If you don't cash the check they send back, your case will never be closed and the violation will not appear on your record. This is of course totally wrong. If you do receive a refund check and fail to cash it there is simply less money in your pocket.

  3. Law enforcement errors / omissions invalidate your ticket.

    Have you heard that if a police officer has messy handwriting or jots down the wrong vehicle model your case will be dismissed? Sorry, that is not true. A typographical error is not as problematic as violating the law.

  4. You can't get in trouble for driving too slowly.

    Not true. A number of people have been stopped and charged for driving too slowly. If a police officer thinks your driving is putting others at risk - by encouraging risky overtaking, say - you can be pulled over.

  5. Reflective license plates beat speed cameras.

    The myth says that a certain type of reflective number plate is impossible to photograph, enabling offenders to avoid speed camera photos. Tests have shown that no known number plate can do such a thing.

  6. You can't get a ticket if you speed in a rental car.

    Again, not true. If you're caught on camera, the rental company will pass your details onto the police for them to deal with you directly. The same applies if you pick up a parking ticket while driving a rental car.

  7. The officer must be wearing a hat to book you.

    It may have been true once, but no longer.

  8. Police officers should be arresting criminals, not writing traffic tickets.

    Traffic enforcement regularly identifies criminals during routine traffic stops:
    • A license plate violation resulted in the apprehension of the suspect in the Oklahoma City federal building bombing.
    • During 1994, traffic enforcement stops in Grand Prairie, Texas accounted for 66 percent of all warrant arrests and 50 percent of the arrests made for non-traffic related offenses.
    • In Peoria, Illinois, during 1994 and 1995, an increase in traffic enforcement contributed to a six percent decrease in violent crimes and a 12 percent decrease in crashes.
    • During 1995, through traffic enforcement efforts, the STOP program in San Francisco resulted in 120 felony drug arrests, 84 loaded weapons confiscated, 65 recovered stolen vehicles, 128 other felony arrests, and 153 felony warrants issued.

  9. You might get a special discount by pleading guilty.

    The judge and the violations staff issues fines on the same payment schedule.

  10. The ticket can be erased from your record.

    Unless you plead not-guilty and are found not-guilty by the judge, the traffic ticket will appear on your record.

  11. Enrolling in traffic school will reduce the fine or dismiss the ticket.

    Clatsop County does not have a traffic school for traffic violations. It might provide a worthwhile lesson, but it won't reduce your fine in this county.

  12. If my payment deadline falls on a weekend, I have until the next Monday to pay it.

    Not true. If your payment is not received before the date it is due, a request will be submitted to DMV to sanction your license. CLATSOP COUNTY HAS NO GRACE PERIOD.

  13. If I get a traffic ticket in another state, my home state won't find out about it.

    State agencies share information with each other. As of today, there are 48 states that are members of what is called the "Driver's License Compact".